Youths have called for recognition of the Lake Chad Basin as Africa’s climate agenda asset.
The youth delegates made the call in a petition submitted by Taiye Ojo, on behalf of the Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship Delegation Intercountry Youth Collective for Climate Action, to the Secretariat of the Second African Climate Summit (ACS2).
The ACS2 that started from Sept. 8 to Sept. 10, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is convened under the theme: Accelerating Global Climate Solutions: Financing for Africa’s Resilient and Green Development.”
Ojo said although the ACS2 recognition of the Congo Basin as a global climate asset with emphasis on transparent benefit-sharing, it should be done to also prioritise the Lake Chad Basin as climate asset, to achieve target goals in Africa.
Ojo said, “On behalf of the youth delegates of Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship, Lake Chad Basin Conmission and allied organisations; we submit respectfully call for recognition of the Lake Chad Basin, as critical asset in Africa’s climate agenda.
“While we commend the recognition of the Congo Basin as a global climate asset with emphasis on transparent benefit-sharing.
“We express that the submission of the Africa Youth Climate Assembly does not capture the interest of the Lake Chad region and as youth representatives from the region, we are bitter about the disenfranchisement and exclusion.
“It is worth mentioning that not less than 100 youth delegates from the Lake Chad region are present at the summit.
“Inspite of the sacrifices and efforts of these youths to participate, their interests are either intentionally not captured or the region is considered insignificant enough to be included.”
He explained the basin’s realities cannot be overlooked if Africa’s climate justice agenda is to be truly inclusive.
He reiterated concern that the Lake Chad Basin that is home to not less than 40 million people across Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon was nit referenced in the ACS2 Youth Declaration.
“The Lake Chad Basin is one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world, having shrunk by more than 90 per cent since the 1960s, due to climate change, unsustainable resource use and poor water governance.
“Its degradation has fueled conflict, displacement, poverty and gender-based vulnerabilities, creating a humanitarian and security crisis intricately linked to climate breakdown.
“Youth-led initiatives, including the Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship, are already mobilising communities across the Basin with solutions ranging from early warning systems to agro-ecological innovations,” he said.
The delegate warned that without continental recognition and investment, these local actions remain fragmented and under-resourced.
“We, therefore, petition the ACS2 secretariat to acknowledge the Lake Chad Basin as a critical African climate hotspot in ACS2 outcomes, alongside the Congo Basin.
“To commit to regional support and transparent benefit-sharing frameworks that prioritise local communities, particularly women and persons with disabilities, who are disproportionately affected.
“Facilitate youth inclusion from the Lake Chad Basin in continental decision-making platforms, ensuring their voices and solutions are recognised in Africa’s climate resilience strategies.
“We believe the future of Africa’s climate justice must be inclusive of all critical ecosystems and the Lake Chad Basin cannot be left behind,” he added..
The ACS2 is centred on shaping African decades of investment backed by sound policy and strong partnerships.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the basin covers approximately eight per of the African continent, encompassing parts of seven countries: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, and Sudan.
It is an inland basin, meaning its rivers and waters do not flow to the ocean.
The region has a complex climate with four categories, ranging from Saharan (less than 100mm annual rainfall) to Sudano-Guinean (600-1,500mm).
However, in recent times the basin is currently facing severe ecological and humanitarian challenges, including rapid lake shrinkage, climate change impacts, and insecurity from terrorist groups.
