Drought may threaten Darfur peace.

• Author: Block, Ben
• Position: EYE ON EARTH - Brief article

Africa's Sahel region has had above-average rainfall in recent years, but trends suggest that drought is in the near future, possibly unhinging peace efforts in the disputed region of Darfur. "This is three years they've been above the statistical average [for rainfall]," said Andrew Morton, manager of the United Nations Environment Programme's conflicts and disasters program. "If you believe in statistics, there is no evidence it will continue."

Competition for water and fertile land is considered a root cause behind the violence that has killed more than 300,000 people in Darfur since 2003. Improved resource management is necessary to avoid further conflict between the Sudanese government and Darfur's rebel factions, Morton said.

U.S. forecasters predict that this year's rainy season (July through September) could...