As the first light pierced through storm clouds, swollen rivers spilled over their banks, sweeping through villages across the Sahel. In countries ranging from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to Nigeria, Chad and Sudan, families scrambled to salvage belongings as muddy water filled their homes. Along the riverbanks, farmers waded through flooded fields, trying desperately to rescue their crops and animals. This year’s rainy season in the Sahel, from July to September, turned roads into rivers and villages into islands, as the relentless rains showed no sign of easing.

These scenes, as surreal as they are tragic, are a stark reminder of the Sahel’s growing vulnerability to climate change. Lying just south of the Sahara Desert, the Sahel region has long grappled with extreme weather, but recent changes in rainfall patterns have pushed communities to the brink. This year, rainfall in parts of the region has surged to levels many times exceeding the historical average, transforming the landscape into a vast, inundated expanse. Satellite images reveal the devastating toll: tens of thousands of hectares of cropland across the region submerged, and millions displaced.

In Mali, the Niger River recently burst its banks after the heaviest rains in more than five decades, causing widespread destruction. Across West and Central Africa, nearly 7 million people in 16 countries are now affected by the floods.

“In Mali, contaminated water is everywhere, increasing the risk of diseases like cholera. In some areas, travel now takes four extra hours due to damaged roads, with others completely cut off,” said Housséini Ouedraogo, the Mercy Corps country director for Mali. “Recovering from this disaster will be a long and difficult journey.”

While the Sahel region battles escalating climate impacts, its political landscape complicates efforts to adapt and secure international support. In countries such as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, recent military coups have led to political isolation from the West, creating additional barriers to climate resilience. While the European Union provided aid to alleviate the flooding, political instability, weakened governance and limited access to international resources are creating a perfect storm in which climate change exacerbates already existing vulnerabilities, threatening the livelihoods and security of millions.

But are the Western-aligned countries such as Mauritania, Chad and Nigeria having any easier time adapting to the climate crisis?

Struggles in the Sahel

The Sahel is one of the world’s most vulnerable areas to climate change. Its semiarid climate and reliance on agriculture make it particularly susceptible to prolonged droughts, desertification and water scarcity.

“These threats undermine the livelihoods of millions of people, many of whom rely on subsistence farming and pastoralism,” said Ibrahim Mohammed Bello, a Nigerian climate change expert.

As climate change accelerates, the region faces increasingly unpredictable weather, with periods of intense drought followed by extreme rainfall.

“Military governments in countries such as Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have disrupted traditional governance structures, further hampering the effectiveness of climate adaptation efforts. The military often prioritizes security needs over environmental policies, resulting in piecemeal or incoherent adaptation initiatives,” Bello said.

In Niger, for example, the recent coup has disrupted climate projects that were previously underway with international partners.

“This has left communities struggling to adapt without the support they once relied on,” Bello added.

In contrast, Chad and Mauritania, with relatively more stable governments despite military influence, have managed to develop more coherent climate policies. Chad, for example, has been able to incorporate climate adaptation into its broader national development plans, which focus on sustainable agriculture, water management and disaster risk reduction.

“However, these policies are often driven by security concerns, prioritizing short-term stability over long-term sustainability,” Bello stressed.

He further underlined that in junta-ruled countries like Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, political isolation and reduced international support exacerbate the challenges of climate adaptation. Sanctions imposed by Western nations make it difficult for these governments to secure resources for large-scale projects, slowing their climate response. In the wake of political instability, international donors have also become wary of engaging with these governments, further limiting their access to critical climate finance.

“Facing increased funding gaps, some governments have revised their national budgets to focus on essential climate adaptation projects,” Bello said. This reallocation aims to support initiatives like water management systems, drought-resistant agriculture and reforestation.

However, due to limited overall budgetary resources, these efforts often fall short in terms of scale and effectiveness. The financial constraints hinder the ability to implement these projects comprehensively, leaving them as only partial solutions to the broader challenges posed by climate change.

The political isolation further limits the engagement of the junta-controlled countries in regional and international climate dialogues, reducing their influence on global policy and constraining their ability to advocate for the Sahel’s unique needs.

As a result, the junta-controlled countries are turning to regional alliances and non-Western partners such as Russia and China. While these partnerships provide some financial and technical support, they rarely address climate adaptation directly, focusing instead on military or economic cooperation. This leaves the Sahel’s most vulnerable communities struggling to adapt without the necessary resources or expertise.

‘The climate crisis won’t wait for political stability’

To bridge this knowledge and funding gaps, regional organizations such as the Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS), a Tunisia-based body with 34 African and non-African member states, have stepped in. The OSS helps Sahelian countries access international climate funds, such as the Green Climate Fund and the Adaptation Fund, established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

However, securing this funding is no easy task, as “many Sahelian governments lack the institutional capacity to navigate the complex climate finance landscape,” said Reuben Steve Muhanji, a climate expert from the OSS.

He went on to say that community-based adaptation is particularly crucial in the Sahel, where local knowledge and practices are essential for building resilience.

“By empowering communities to take charge of their own adaptation efforts, stakeholders ensure that interventions are culturally appropriate and locally informed,” Muhanji said. “This approach helps to strengthen social cohesion and foster a sense of ownership among community members, which is essential for the long-term success of adaptation projects.”

One example of this approach is the establishment of Water User Associations, which allow communities to manage shared water resources. These associations bring together local governments, community leaders and residents to develop sustainable water management strategies. In a region where water scarcity is a constant threat, these associations provide a critical platform for addressing the needs of local communities while promoting environmental sustainability.

Reflecting on Africa’s position as a group of least developed countries, Muhanji further stressed the importance of aligning with global frameworks such as the Paris Agreement.

“Some countries are just getting familiar with concepts like carbon credits, while others are already implementing them,” Muhanji stated. Yet, despite limited mitigation capacity, adaptation remains the primary strategy, as “adaptation efforts range from technological innovations to sustainable land management, often incorporating knowledge from both local practices and international experience.”

Nevertheless, political instability remains a significant barrier to long-term climate resilience in the Sahel.

In countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, weak governance and frequent conflicts often delay project implementation and disrupt international support. While the OSS maintains a politically neutral stance, focusing solely on climate adaptation, the volatile political landscape continues to complicate its work, as “many donors hesitate to engage with governments under sanctions,” Muhanji said.

“The climate crisis, however, won’t wait for political stability,” he added.

Improved governance is needed

In the absence of substantial international funding, many Sahelian countries are turning to local adaptation strategies. These initiatives often focus on agroecology, which emphasizes sustainable farming techniques and resilience to climate variability.

Also, the planned interconnection of the West African Power Pool could allow junta-led governments in the Sahel to access cleaner, cheaper electricity from neighboring countries. This integration could facilitate a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, particularly solar power.

The challenges, however, remain for all countries of the Sahel region that are slow in conducting reforms.

Chad, for example, has vast solar resources that could meet domestic energy needs and potentially provide surplus energy to neighboring countries. By investing in solar infrastructure and improving grid connectivity, Chad could also enhance its energy security and economic resilience while contributing to regional climate goals. Still, achieving this would require significant investment in infrastructure and regulatory reforms, both of which are challenging under current political conditions.

“For effective climate action, it remains essential that junta governments establish robust governance frameworks that support sustainable resource management,” Bello said.

This should include enhancing the capacity of regulatory bodies, improving financial viability and ensuring accountability within national utilities.

“In water-scarce regions, investing in data collection and monitoring systems can help governments make informed decisions about resource management,” Bello said. For example, improving groundwater monitoring systems can help communities better understand water availability and consumption patterns, enabling them to implement more effective conservation strategies.

He also added that despite limited international engagement, NGOs and international development agencies can play a crucial role in supporting local adaptation initiatives.

“Collaborative projects that prioritize community involvement can foster resilience while circumventing political barriers. International financial institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, can also explore innovative financing mechanisms that leverage climate adaptation funds and align with local needs,” Bello added.

The Sahel’s interconnected challenges of political instability and climate vulnerability create a complex environment for climate action. However, through a combination of community-based adaptation, regional cooperation and strengthened governance, the Sahel can begin to address the dual challenges of climate change and political instability, according to experts.

“We need to look at this in a holistic manner, to bring together innovative technologies and solutions that work across different countries.” Muhanji said. “Climate change does not just affect you, it affects your neighbors. … The solution is to come together.”

Muhanji called for stronger regional cooperation to tackle rising sea levels, water scarcity and other challenges.

Banner image : Portrait of Hannoki Ali, 48, in her home. Hannoki Ali a mother of nine who has been greatly affected by the recent flooding and was able to benefit from the food distribution under THRIVE program. “In the early hours of September 10th, our community was submerged in water, forcing us to flee our homes with nothing. We returned the next day, scavenging for essentials, and spent days on the streets, exposed to the elements. After a week, as the water level began to recede, we returned to our half-destroyed home.” Says Hannoki . On September 10, 2024, Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, in Nigeria, experienced devastating flooding due to the overflow of the Alau Dam, which connects to the river flowing from Cameroon. Thousands of residents were displaced, and many lives were lost in this tragic event.

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