By Clifford Akumu
Land degradation is a ‘ticking time bomb to security’ staring at African governments and must be dealt with through mobilization of necessary resources to realize dream of Green Africa, experts have warned.
Mr.Almami Dampha, Senior Policy Officer, Forestry and land management, African Union Commission confirmed that financing of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) implementation in Africa has been a challenge.
Although the issue of financing such projects was a global phenomenon, he cited African case as ‘unique one’ that must be addressed through partnerships.
“If you consider the extent and magnitude of land degradation and desertification on the continent and its impact on the ability to produce food, safe environment, we need concerted efforts to pull resources together to strengthen our capacity as a nations.” Said Dampha on the sidelines of the regional consultative meeting of the UNCCD underway in Nairobi.
UNCCD report dubbed: ‘Desertification: The invisible frontline’, points to the link between desertification, climate change and the growing threats to national and international security.
In that report, countries where large poor populations depend on fragile or desertified lands are increasingly exposed to extraordinary weather events leading to food insecurity, water conflicts, migration, internal displacement, political radicalization and state failure.
Mrs.Sidibe Diallo Aminata, former minister for education Mali noted that land degradation is a driver of migration in the Sahel region and is fueling the radicalization of youth.
“Degraded land is no longer productive hence no farming activity. With the absence of water due to loss of vegetal cover, people tend to move elsewhere to sustain their livelihoods .” said Aminata.
Globally, only 7.8 billion hectares of land are suitable for food production. About 2 billion hectares are already degraded, and of these 500 million hectares have been totally abandoned. These lands could be restored to fertility for future use. Between 1983 and 2005, for instance, only 16% of the degrading land was being rehabilitated, mostly in the Sahel region.
The major reason for these alarming pointers, said Aminata, was the development obstacle bedeviling African governments.
“For instance, how will a nation achieve self-sufficiency in terms of feeding its population, how to get water to the towns and villages and the capacity to educate and provide health to her population. These are major questions that must be dealt with.” noted Aminata.
Resource mobilization towards initiatives to combat land degradation is prerogative of the national governments. But his organization, he narrates, has put in place mechanisms to support member states.
“At the African Union, we do not finance projects. Our role is basically to walk with our member states and support them in resource mobilization, to build bilateral and multilateral partnerships at various levels .”
He explained that the success of United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) negotiations was due to structured approach for climate change and relatively more resources at their disposal.
“It is not the fault of negotiators, it is because the whole world in talking about climate change with desertification seen as an African problem. African Union must now support desertification negotiators to defend their interest globally” he said
The adoption by global community of the land degradation neutrality and the sustainable development goal number 15 target 15.3 were landmark point in implementation of the UNCCD agenda.
According to Dampha, these processes also resonate well with African Union’s visionary Agenda 2063 which provides a pathway for peace, development, security and environmental sustainability on the continent.
“As a nation we now need to build synergies that would help in addressing land degradation to achieve this Agenda .” Dampha said.
“Bold action and investment in sustainable land management can boost food security, improve livelihoods and help people adapt to climate change,” he stressed.
The effects of land degradation are not unique to Africa. In Mexico, for instance, more than 700,000 people migrate every year from the drylands. Land degradation may lead to the migration of 135 million people by 2045, according to a recent study by the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
Countries that have developed sustainable land management measures such as BurkinaFaso are reaping the benefits, a noble course that Africa government must not shy away from.
“Sustainable practices will lead to increase in grain production, hence improved livelihoods among African population especially in the Sahel region that bear the brunt of desertification.” Pointed Aminata.
The meeting which aims to deliberate on issues that affect AU countries who are members of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has gathered climate change experts and stakeholders.
