An appraisal of the implementation of the UNCCD in Africa : a case study South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya and Morocco.

Abstract

This dissertation examines the implementation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and/ or Drought particularly in Africa, (hereinafter referred to as the UNCCD). It reveals that of the 41 per cent of dry land ecosystems which covers the earth surface, about one third of the world’s population live in dry land areas, and an estimated 325 million people in Africa also live in these areas being faced with problems such as food insecurity, migration, poor sanitation caused primarily by desertification, land degradation and drought. The dissertation presents an evaluation of regional and sub-regional programmes working in partnership with the Convention to meet its objectives in Africa. The dissertation provides a critical analysis of the national action programmes (NAP) of South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya and Morocco selected as the case studies for this research, representing each of the sub-regions of Africa. In so doing, the dissertation seek to provide a better understanding of the effectiveness of the NAP of the case study countries, using the bottom-up approach required by the Convention, and identifies the gaps through comparing the similarities and differences of the approach of the selected case study countries. Finally, through the consideration of the NAP of the case study countries and other African regional partners facilitating the Conventions implementation, it distils some recommendations as the way forward for the UNCCD effective implementation.