The increasing severity of climate change across Africa is creating operational challenges for the United States military, fueling regional conflicts, and exacerbating instability in the Horn of Africa. This assessment comes from Maureen Farrell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs, who highlighted the far-reaching consequences of extreme weather conditions during a briefing at the Defense Writers Group in Washington.
Farrell noted that the escalating climate stressors in Africa, particularly in the Horn region, are disrupting US military operations, specifically at critical bases like Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti. “Djibouti is one of the hottest countries on earth, and our ability to operate and engage in Djibouti is significantly affected by climate stressors in the Horn of Africa,” she explained. Camp Lemonnier, the US military’s largest base in Africa, serves as a hub for counterterrorism missions and security operations across the continent. However, soaring temperatures are increasingly limiting physical training and other essential activities for personnel, weakening operational readiness.
Beyond operational challenges, Farrell pointed to a direct link between climate stressors and rising conflicts over critical resources, particularly water and arable land. Across Africa, changing weather patterns have intensified droughts, displaced populations, and exacerbated disputes over natural resources.
“Globally, there are a number of African conflicts that we could point to that are over water and land rights. There is increasing tension over those kinds of resources,” Farrell stated, underscoring the ways climate stress fuels local disputes, many of which evolve into broader security challenges.
The Horn of Africa, which includes countries such as Somalia, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, has been particularly hard-hit. Severe droughts and erratic rainfall patterns are undermining agricultural productivity and water security, triggering tensions that can escalate into violent confrontations. These dynamics not only strain local governance but also complicate international efforts to promote peace and stability.
Farrell also warned that the impacts of climate change are exacerbating vulnerabilities that extremist groups are quick to exploit. In regions affected by drought, famine, and resource scarcity, extremist organizations, such as Somalia’s al-Shabab, thrive by exploiting local grievances and lack of economic opportunities.
“Candidly, these are environments where violent extremists can thrive,” Farrell remarked. She cited the recent droughts in Somalia as a case in point, where economic desperation has driven many young people into the ranks of al-Shabab. Without sustainable solutions to address food insecurity, water shortages, and livelihoods, the risk of recruitment into extremist groups remains high.
This growing nexus between climate change and extremism poses not only a regional threat but also has implications for global security. As the US Department of Defense continues its counterterrorism operations in Africa, officials are increasingly mindful of the long-term challenges posed by climate-induced instability.
The Pentagon also emphasized that the worsening climate crisis threatens US strategic interests in Africa and beyond. The ability to maintain military readiness, safeguard regional allies, and counter extremist threats is increasingly hampered by extreme weather conditions.
Farrell argued that addressing these climate challenges is critical to maintaining “global stability” and protecting US interests on the continent. The Horn of Africa’s strategic significance cannot be overstated: the region serves as a gateway to critical maritime routes, particularly through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which are vital for international trade and security.
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