The United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) has published a report outlining key climate change impacts on peace and security in the subregion. The report outlines six main pathways linking climate change and stability: increased human mobility; increased inter-communal violence, in particular between herders and farmers; increased organized crime, and activities of non-state armed groups; increased pressure on coasts, and rise in maritime crime and piracy; increased pressure on land, and rise in land conflicts and food insecurity; and the growing threat to the Congo Basin rainforest. Without strong and timely action to address these issues and protect populations from the cascading effects of climate change, they can exacerbate risks for peace and security in Central Africa. The most vulnerable, especially women and youth, are often more exposed to security risks and affected disproportionally.

The report, prepared by UNOCA in partnership with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and UN Climate Security Mechanism (CSM), also presents recommendations to prevent, mitigate and manage resulting security risks, with the aim of reinforcing adaptive capacities and strengthening the link between climate action and peacebuilding in the sub-region. Read here the Executive Summary in English, and full report in French (English version will be available soon).