event 20 May 2021

Technical Report // Climate-related Security Risks and Peacebuilding in Mali

By Farah Hegazi, Florian Krampe and Elizabeth Smith. This new SIPRI Policy Paper ‘Climate-related Security Risks and Peacebuilding in Mali’ sheds light on this urgent question, through a case study of one of the biggest peace missions active today, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). It describes how climate change affects other socio-economic, political and environmental factors in central and northern Mali and creates new challenges for MINUSMA. The paper also looks at the steps MINUSMA has taken to adapt to these new challenges, and what lessons they offer for peacekeeping.

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Abstract

Climate-related security risks are changing the security landscape in which multilateral peacebuilding efforts are taking place. Following a similar assessment of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia in 2019, this SIPRI Policy Paper offers another glimpse into the future of peacebuilding in the context of climate change, this time by providing an in-depth assessment of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

Climate change in Mali has affected natural resource-based livelihoods and contributed to undermining human security in a context of conflict and weak governance. Furthermore, the compound character of climate change is an increasingly strong factor that reshapes social, political and economic contexts, thereby potentially amplifying local grievances and marginalization. These interactions all contribute to hindering MINUSMA’s efforts to support peace and stability in Mali.

MINUSMA, however, explicitly and implicitly responds to climate-related security risks. For example, its divisions address natural resource-related conflicts, supporting peace and stability in a context where natural resources are often crucial to livelihoods and human security. MINUSMA also works to reduce its own potential negative environmental impact. Nevertheless, it faces three main limitations in addressing climate-related security risks: prioritization of the issue vis-à-vis the mandate, limited capacity within the mission, and coordination challenges between the mission and the UN Country Team.

By analysing how climate change affects MINUSMA’s mandate, and the mission’s responses to it, the insight offered in this paper suggests the need for increased knowledge, training and prioritization surrounding climate security. This applies not only to MINUSMA, but also to other missions located in areas of high climate change exposure, and more generally to the broader UN system.

Map of major basins in Mali and map of the Inner Niger Delta Sources: Global Runoff Data Centre, ‘Major River Basins of the World’, 2nd edn, Federal Institute of Hydrology, 2020; and made with Natural Earth, . Credit: Hugo Ahlenius, Nordpil,
Map of major basins in Mali and map of the Inner Niger Delta Sources: Global Runoff Data Centre, ‘Major River Basins of the World’, 2nd edn, Federal Institute of Hydrology, 2020; and made with Natural Earth, . Credit: Hugo Ahlenius, Nordpil,

Content

  1. Introduction
  2. Conflict and peacebuilding efforts in Mali
  3. Climate change in Mali
  4. Climate impacts on MINUSMA
  5. Institutional responses to climate-related security risks
  6. Limitations of current responses to climate-related security risks

About the authors/editors

  • Dr Farah Hegazi is a Researcher in SIPRI’s Climate Change and Risk Programme.
  • Elizabeth Smith is a Research Assistant with the SIPRI Climate Change and Risk Programme.
  • Dr Florian Krampe is the Director of the Climate Change and Risk Programme.

About SIPRI

SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources.

Published

April 2021

By

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI Publications)

Citation

Hegazi, Farah & Krampe, Florian & Smith, Elizabeth. (2021). Climate-Related Security Risks and Peacebuilding in Mali.

Download

Climate-related Security Risks and Peacebuilding in Mali

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