Livelihood Security: Climate change, conflict and migration in - UNEP

Conflicts in the region have resulted in large numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). At
mid-2011, for example, there were over 130,000 IDPs in 38 camps in Eastern Chad, due to intermittent conflict
in the country since 1965
This broad definition encompasses different forms
of migration, from traditional adaptation to changing
environmental conditions, to forced migration
as livelihood groups fail to adapt. Research conducted
by EACH-FOR, a project of the European
Commission, identified and investigated links
between migration and environmental change.
Case studies were completed in 23 countries
around the world, involving empirical research conducted
with individuals and communities who were
migrating, or may migrate, due in part to environmental
reasons. Among the project’s findings was
that “migration occurs when livelihoods cannot be
maintained, especially when agriculture or herding
is severely affected by environmental degradation
or extreme events.” 88
2.6 Conflict in the region
Since the start of decolonization, the region has
experienced a significant number of conflicts,
including large-scale interstate wars, civil wars and
localized fighting. In the CILSS countries, Burkina
Faso and Mali fought a protracted interstate war
(The Agacher Strip War) in 1974 and 1985, primar-
Livelihood Security: Climate Change, Migration and Conflict in the Sahel
ily over land thought to contain substantial natural
resources, such as natural gas and minerals. Other
countries have experienced internal conflict, including
Chad (intermittently since 1965), Guinea-Bissau
(1998-1999) and Senegal (ongoing since 1990).
Military coups have also taken place in Chad,
Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. In
the ECOWAS countries, there have been civil wars
in Côte d’Ivoire (2002-2007), Liberia (1989-1996
and 1999-2003) and Sierra Leone (1991-2002), and
the movement of rebels into non-civil war States
has destabilized regional security. More recently,
the political crisis following the 2010 elections in
Côte d’Ivoire led to several months of unrest and
violence.
Factors contributing to the large number of conflicts
in the region over the last decades have included
historical tensions between ethno-linguistic groups
and the legacy of colonial power, poor governance,
marginalization of various social groups and
corruption. The proliferation of guns and non-state
militaries has also played an important role, despite
the 2006 ECOWAS Convention that formally bans
the sale of small arms and light weapons. 89
© UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe
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