Climate Change, Instability and a Full Spectrum Approach to Conflict Prevention in Africa
Abstract
Climate change is an emerging threat to the national security of the United States. It has the potential to enhance the underlying causes of failed and failing states in Africa resulting in an increased frequency of crisis response operations, taxing the armed forces already engaged in conflicts around the globe. If climate change is the catalyst of crises to come, Africa Command (AFRICOM) must employ innovative and proactive cooperative theater security plans and full spectrum stability operations to meet the challenges. This paper will first describe the threat posed by climate change and its implications for sub-Saharan Africa and U.S. national security. The paper will present an examination of the historical evidence for climate change as a conflict enabler and an analysis of the potentially destabilizing impact climate change poses for Nigeria. Recommendations for how AFRICOM should engage already fragile African nations, such as Nigeria, which are vulnerable to the affects of climate change, will be offered. Achieving increased capacity for Nigeria in order to overcome the destabilizing affects of global climate change is the goal. An integrated interagency, intergovernmental, and non-governmental organizational approach, coupled with an African Union led full spectrum stabilization, stability, transition and reconstruction (SSTR) concept, will be examined as the recommended course of action for the combatant commander to follow.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 23, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA513745
Entities
People
- Shawn T. Bailey
Organizations
- Naval War College