Environmental degradation, livelihood, and the stability of Chad Basin Region

Abstract

ABSTRACT The socio-economic conditions of the inhabitants of Lake Chad Region (LCR) in the instability of the region has been well researched. But there has been relatively little work on how environmental conditions contribute to the expanding instability of the region. Using data collected from both primary and secondary sources, this study shows how the shrinking Lake Chad contributes to the instability of the LCR. The study finds out that in the last six decades, climate change, over-exploitation and demographic pressure have contributed to the shrinking of the waterbody by over 90% leading to inability to sustain livelihoods of inhabitants. Loss of livelihoods has promoted criminality, easy recruitment by terrorist groups, migration to urban centres in search of better means of livelihood. This has also led to violent clashes and crimes in cities and towns. Furthermore, management of the shrinking lake has caused conflicts among the riparian states and this has greatly inhibited their ability to collective fight insecurity in the region. The study concludes that in enhancing the stability of the Lake Chad Region, addressing the shrinking Lake Chad must be given priority by the riparian states and other concerned stakeholders.