MEAC research in Northwest Nigeria shows how irregular rainfall, rising temperatures, and poor land management have escalated competition over resources, particularly between farmers and herders, and sparking a surge in banditry that now surpasses Boko Haram violence. In Chad, the shrinking Lake Chad and suspended land use policies have aggravated historic conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, hindering the reintegration of former Boko Haram associates seeking to reclaim land.

adelphi’s African Climate Security Risk Assessment reveals similar trends in South Sudan, Somalia, Mali, and Mozambique, where non-state armed groups exploit climate-related risks, offering their own conflict resolution services and using extreme weather to their advantage. They exploit climate-related livelihood insecurity for recruitment while engaging in illegal resource extraction, further degrading the environment.

Similarly, Iraq faces increasing climate threats, including extreme weather, water scarcity, and food insecurity, which strain social cohesion and state capacity. Governance issues and damaged infrastructure, worsened by decades of conflict, hinder effective responses to climate-related challenges. Despite this, Berghof’s work in Iraq highlights that environmental issues can create opportunities for dialogue and cooperation.

Introductory Remarks

• Aurélie Rime, Programme Officer, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland

Speakers

• Lukas Rüttinger, Senior Advisor, adelphi
• Chitra Nagarajan, Expert, Climate Security Expert Network
• Angélica Rojas Moncada, Coordinadora Regional Guaviare, Foundation for Conservation and Sustainable Development
• Dr. Chris Coulter, Deputy Executive Director, Executive Office, Berghof Foundation

Moderator

• Dr. Siobhan O’Neil, Head of Project, MEAC, UNIDIR

More information

This description was excerpted from genevapeaceweek.ch.