Security concerns, lack of support stall Africa’s Green Wall
Associated PressOUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — A series of complex challenges, including a lack of funding and political will as well as rising insecurity linked to extremist groups al-Qaida and the Islamic State in Burkina Faso, are obstructing progress on Africa’s Great Green Wall, according to experts involved in the initiative. Just 4 million hectares of land has been afforested since work on the Green Wall began 15 years ago — a mere 4% of the program’s ultimate goal. Adama Doulkom, the coordinator for the Great Green Wall for the Sahara and the Sahel Initiative in Burkina Faso, said political instability and security issues are significantly stalling progress in nearly 4,000 villages across the country. “In terms of measurable restoration milestones on the ground, Niger can be said to be far ahead of most of the countries with significant citizen awareness and contributing reforestation activities at all levels,” said Tabi Joda, a Great Green Wall ambassador.
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Security concerns, lack of support stall Africa's Green Wall
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