Climate Change, Food Insecurity, Peace and Sustainable Development in East Africa: Case Study of South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya

The relationship between climate change and food insecurityFood insecurity is apparent, as the former triggers the latter’s consequences for individuals, groups and countries. Food insecurity and hunger persist in many East African countries, particularly South SudanSouth Sudan, Sudan, EthiopiaEthiopia and KenyaKenya, driven primarily by conflictsConflict, wars and droughtDrought. While the extent and intensity of conflicts in Sub-SaharanSub-Saharan Africa decreased in the 1990s, the East African region registered an increase of about 30 stateState-based conflicts in 2019. The following year, the number of state-based conflicts increased to 56, including eight wars. Consequently, many human and animal lives were lost, properties, including food stores, were burned, and millions of populations migrated amidst increased insecurity. With the ongoing War between Russian Federation and Ukraine taking global attention and resources, the international community has not responded promptly and adequately to the hunger crisis in the region. The quest for peacePeace in the region remains elusive and more complex to realise as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable development is in grave jeopardy due to multiple factors, includingCoronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) COVID-19, climate change, and conflictConflict impacts on all of the Sustainable Development GoalsSustainable Development Goals. Drawing on a broad range of literature, this chapter explores the conceptual basis of climate change and its implications for food insecurityFood insecurity and conflicts in the region. The chapter further discusses underpinning problems of climate, AnthropoceneAnthropocene and food crisis. It concludes with an analysis of the roadmap of survival and policyPolicy recommendations to put the East African region on track to food securityFood security, peacePeace and sustainable developmentDevelopment.