Thread by @nazaninemoshiri

Breaking News! 📢 🧵1/8

New @CrisisGroup report explores how climate change reshapes Somalia's war with Al-Shabaab. Our team visited Mogadishu, Baidoa, Dollow, and Kismayo for this research. Read it here 🌍💧 #ClimateCrisis #Somalia. crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-af…

2/8 Al-Shabaab uses water strategically during extreme weather events like the 2023 drought. Our “Mapping Conflict” video shows how the group builds dams and canals to control resources and pressure people in areas it dominates. crisisgroup.org/global/mapping…

3/8 Somalia needs sand dams, solar irrigation & flood defences to safeguard livelihoods. A $95M Green Climate Fund project offers hope to rebuild water systems & restore land. Transparency is crucial for future investments. We visited a @WorldVision project near Baidoa.🌍💧

4/8 Progress is happening: The Ministries of Environment and Water are working hard, supported by some regional ministries and @HodderClimate @iom_somalia @FAOSomalia @DKinSomalia @FCDOGovUK @GermanyInAfrica is + others. I met with Somalia's Disaster Management Agency (SODMA).

5/8 Deforestation in Somalia for wood burning and charcoal production has led to devastating consequences. It worsens drought and floods and has also funded the militant group Al-Shabaab in the past. We filmed bags of charcoal and wood transported outside Kismayo.

6/8 Our Future of Conflict team provided top-notch quantitative data and analysis to shed light on the links between conflict and climate stresses. Check the Data Annex of the Report, where we explain our metholodgy📊 #ConflictAnalysis crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-af…

7/8 Even with a political deal or Al-Shabaab's decline, climate change will still challenge Somalia. Tackling its impacts eases hardship, weakens Al-Shabaab, and helps prevent future threats. @OmarSMahmood and I break things down here.#ClimateResilience

8/8 Cautiously engaging Al-Shabaab on shared climate challenges could pave the way for peace. By prioritising water and services in all areas, Somalia’s government can meet people’s needs, build trust, and lay the groundwork for dialogue with the militants to end the conflict.