Climate change and security
This is a conference report which explores the nexus of climate change and security. It asserts that climate change is a threat multiplier because it exacerbates tensions and instability, overburdening already fragile and conflict prone states and regions. The threat is humanitarian, with political and security risks, causing multilayered and complex conflict leading to international security implications.
Using Karamoja and the Ilemi Triangle in the Horn of Africa as case studies, the report demonstrates the link between climate change and conflict in regions characterised by unpredictable weather, drought and food shortages. Food production and management difficulties lead to livelihood coping mechanisms like cattle raiding and the proliferation of guns which lead to instability and forced migration. The reduction of pastures reduces the number of cattle and intensifies cattle raiding to restock depleted livestock disrupting the traditional co-existence in this trans-border region and resorting to armed conflicts.
The report also observes that climate change also impinges on cultural traditions of pastoralists especially the rites of passage of young warriors. After initiation, the warriors are allowed to marry using hundreds of head of cattle or guns as bride price. This leads to armed cattle rustling to restock the depleted livestock.
The report details a number of recommendations, including:
- Policy oriented research should be effected on the relationships between climate change and conflict in Africa
- Africa must develop effective mitigation and adaptation capability to face the vagaries of climate change
- Regional cooperation must be encouraged
- Investment in the development of long term early warning systems to understand climate change is crucial.
