Sahel juntas struggle to address climate crisis amid regional instability

Torrential rains in the Sahel from July to September caused devastating floods, displacing millions, and submerging vast croplands in countries like Niger, Chad, and Sudan. The climate focused news platform Mongabay reports how these climate disasters compound the region’s vulnerabilities, with military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger disrupting governance and climate adaptation projects.

Political isolation has hindered access to international climate finance, forcing communities to rely on local adaptation initiatives. Groups like the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) emphasize empowering communities through sustainable water and land management practices. However, limited institutional capacity and funding gaps leave these efforts under-resourced.

Meanwhile, stable governments in Chad and Mauritania have integrated climate adaptation into national development plans, focusing on renewable energy and disaster risk reduction. Experts urge regional cooperation and improved governance to tackle climate change effectively, warning that political instability remains a significant barrier to long-term resilience in this vulnerable region.