Security Implications of Climate Change for the Horn of Africa

Despite its strategic geopolitical location and a vibrant diverse population, the Horn of Africa is also a region of poverty, food insecurity and political instability. Thus, Horn of Africa, being one of the most insecure and climate sensitive regions, proves itself an ideal geographic region to interrogate the links between climate change and security. This study is aimed at examining how security in the Horn of Africa is affected by climate change. The candidate employed qualitative research design to study the science on the impacts of climate change on security, particularly in the Horn of Africa and used purposive sampling technique to select interviewees. To supplement the data from interview, previous related literatures were also used. The thesis used a risk-based approach to investigating links between climate change and security. The data were analyzed based on the six major thematic areas which have direct linkage with the research questions. Accordingly, water security, food security, sea level rise and coastal degradation, extreme weather events and weather-related disasters, climate-related migration, and violent conflicts are risks posed by climate change with security implications. Climate change exacerbates existing pressures in the region, including poverty, food insecurity and population growth, despite the fact that the countries of the Horn have little to no contribution to global carbon emissions. This is mainly due to the region’s excessive reliance on natural resources for its economy. The consequences may become more visible in the future when it is too late to prevent them. Proper climate change adaptation and mitigation measures are urgently needed for this climate sensitive HoA region. Unless actions are taken now in order to avert the potential damage, the consequences may become more visible in the future when it is too late to prevent them.