CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Plans Against Desertification. But What of Funds?

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Jean Louis Gondamoyen

BANGUI, May 10 2007 (IPS) - For many, the Central African Republic (CAR) is associated with political instability – a legacy of multiple coups – while others may see the country in terms of environmental riches, notably its population of lowland gorillas. Less immediate, perhaps, are thoughts of desertification, even though vast tracts of CAR land are facing degradation.

“At present, almost half of the Central African surface area is threatened with desertification,” says Antoine Kémba, a teacher and researcher at the University of Bangui – the capital – who also works as an environmental consultant.

According to certain environmentalists, including Kémba, the north, north-east and west of the CAR are most at risk.

Oham Mpéndé, Ouham and Nana Mambérée, areas along the border with Chad in the north previously known for their agricultural production, have experienced a substantial drop in output. Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that production has fallen by about 40 percent in Ouham and Ouham Mpéndé over the past decade, and by 35 percent in Nana Mambéré.

Production has also dropped considerably in the north-east because of the scarcity of rain, with ground water drying up and soil fissures becoming more visible.

In Birao, a north-eastern town near the border with Sudan, intense drought has already caused many villagers to flee. Most have set up home in the neighbouring areas of Ouada and Ndélé which have a better climate, says René Amadi – a retired teacher who lives in Birao.

“Birao is an area almost completely lacking in water. Because of (its) long dry spells, food is also no longer produced there…Weather conditions are not favourable for agriculture,” Amadi told IPS.

Gisèle Panaga, who heads the environmental ministry’s efforts to fight desertification, says the environmental problems of the CAR, and desertification in particular, are high on the list of official priorities – notably since the severe drought of 1984.

This event was unprecedented, and led to a food crisis throughout the country. In response, authorities drew up a national programme to fight desertification that was adopted in 1991 and revised in 2002.

The programme recommends awareness-raising efforts for communities about the importance of environmental protection, and that about a thousand officials be trained by 2008 to conduct such activities. It also calls for support of those involved in the fight against desertification, and for studies on climate change.

But, “This programme can only be effective if the financial means are available. The Central African government is counting on contributions from institutions and other financial partners to implement it,” Panaga told IPS.

The United Nations Development Programme has already stepped in by starting a project in 2005 to help evaluate institutional needs for management of the environment in the CAR.

Jacobe Oubélé, president of the National Association for the Protection of Nature, also sees a need for educating environmental officials. Water and forestry representatives who received their initial training perhaps thirty years ago – and who have not undergone any additional training since – are no longer qualified to confront the challenges of desertification, he believes.

But, Oubélé is nonetheless sceptical about government’s approach to tackling desertification.

“The policies of government within the framework of the fight against desertification are unrealistic,” he told IPS, “as government does not have adequate financial and human resources to put them into operation.”