The region is experiencing rapid climate changes that have affected the lives of its inhabitants. Since the drought and famine of 1968-1975, followed by waves of desertification and floods, the region has been living through successive crises. Water sources have dried up, vegetation cover has receded, and rain-fed agriculture, on which the region’s population depends, has been impacted. This has resulted in waves of displacement and conflicts between communities, especially between herders and farmers. Conflicts over pastures and water have turned into ethnic and religious conflicts, later evolving into open wars.

The United Nations has warned that countries in the Sahel region are at risk of decades of armed conflict and displacement due to rising temperatures, resource scarcity, and instability. Floods, droughts, and devastating heatwaves are diminishing access to water, food, and livelihoods, amplifying the risks of conflict.

Climate Disruption and the Cost of Environmental Fragility

Although industrial nations are the main drivers of global warming and severe climate changes, and despite the African continent contributing no more than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, African countries are among the most affected by the catastrophic consequences of climate change. These consequences are causing a decline in Africa’s rich environmental biodiversity, contributing to increased food insecurity, displacement, migration, and conflicts over land.

The African Sahel region has witnessed severe climatic fluctuations, the frequency of which has increased over the past twenty years. The most prominent manifestations include:

  • Rising Temperatures and Heatwaves:

During 2025, the African Sahel region experienced record temperatures and exceptional heatwaves. The region is classified as one of the most vulnerable to the repercussions of climate change in the world. Countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Nigeria recorded temperatures 0.7 to 1.5 degrees Celsius above average. Parts of Burkina Faso and Mali experienced a severe heatwave in March 2025, with daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, an increase of 6 degrees above the normal average for that time of year.

  • Changing Rainfall Patterns and Floods:

Rainfall is now concentrated in short periods, causing destructive flash floods. It has become rare for the period between June and September to pass without the region experiencing floods that lead to material damage and humanitarian tragedies.

After long drought cycles, rainfall has begun to return to its average level in the region, but with a clear increase in its temporal intensity without an improvement in the length of the rainy season compared to the drought years of the 1960s and 1970s.

The reality is that floods and heavy rains are no longer a surprise for the inhabitants of the Sahel. Many of its cities have been hit by devastating floods in recent years, including Niamey (the capital of Niger) which experienced floods in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2022, as well as the Burkinabe capital, Ouagadougou, which also witnessed floods in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2020, etc.

The Nigerian capital, Abuja, was also affected by floods in September 2020, with water inundating several neighborhoods and destroying thousands of hectares of farmland.

The same applies to the Senegalese capital, Dakar, in 2022. The year 2024 represented another year of weather shocks in the Sahel region, with several areas experiencing destructive floods and flash floods. In Chad, flash floods and heavy rains led to the deaths of about 600 people and affected two million others, more than 10% of the country’s population.

In July 2025, rainfall amounts exceeding the normal average (up to 200% above normal) were recorded in wide areas of the Sahel, particularly in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria. Water levels in major rivers (Niger, Senegal, Chari, Volta) are rising rapidly and alarmingly, having already exceeded warning levels in Niamey and other water measurement stations.

The floods have caused severe human and material damage. In Nigeria, 25 deaths and more than 5,500 displaced persons were recorded in Adamawa State. In Guinea, 34 deaths have been recorded since the start of the rainy season, including 18 deaths in one night in Conakry. In Mali, Niger, and Senegal,

Niamey

Niamey is the capital and largest city of Niger, located on the banks of the Niger River. While the area had small settlements for centuries, Niamey’s modern history began in the late 19th century when it grew from a small fishing village into a colonial administrative post under French rule, eventually becoming the capital of the independent Republic of Niger in 1960. Today, it serves as the nation’s political, economic, and cultural center.

Ouagadougou

Ouagadougou is the capital and largest city of Burkina Faso, historically serving as the seat of the Mossi Empire since the 15th century. Today, it is the country’s administrative, cultural, and economic center, known for hosting major African film and arts festivals.

Abuja

Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria, officially designated in 1991 to replace Lagos. It was purpose-built in the 1980s in the country’s center to promote national unity and ease congestion. The city is known for its modern architecture and planned layout, with landmarks like Aso Rock and the Nigerian National Mosque.

Dakar

Dakar is the vibrant capital and largest city of Senegal, located on the Cape Verde Peninsula along the Atlantic coast. Historically, it grew from a small 15th-century Lebou fishing village into a major colonial port under French rule, later becoming a key administrative center and the capital upon Senegal’s independence in 1960. Today, it is a bustling economic and cultural hub known for its markets, music scene, and landmarks like the African Renaissance Monument.

Niger River

The Niger River is West Africa’s principal river, flowing over 2,600 miles in a unique boomerang-shaped course through Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria before emptying into the Atlantic. Historically, it served as a vital artery for trade, communication, and the rise of powerful empires like the Mali and Songhai, whose great cities such as Timbuktu flourished along its banks. Today, it remains a crucial source of water, transportation, and sustenance for millions of people in the region.

Senegal River

The Senegal River is a major waterway in West Africa, forming a natural border between Senegal and Mauritania. Historically, it was a vital artery for trade and empires like Ghana and Mali, and later for European colonial posts. Today, it remains crucial for agriculture, fishing, and freshwater supply for the region.

Chari River

The Chari River is a major waterway in Central Africa, flowing approximately 1,400 kilometers from the Central African Republic through Chad and into Lake Chad. Historically, it has served as a vital trade and transportation route for centuries and was central to the powerful pre-colonial Sultanate of Bagirmi. Today, it remains crucial for irrigation, fishing, and as a lifeline for the capital city of N’Djamena.

Volta River

The Volta River is a major river system in West Africa, primarily flowing through Ghana, formed by the confluence of the Black and White Volta rivers. Its most significant modern feature is the Akosombo Dam, completed in 1965, which created the vast Lake Volta to provide hydroelectric power. This massive project fundamentally reshaped the region’s geography, economy, and settlement patterns, while the river itself has long been a vital resource for transportation and sustenance for local communities.