Final answer:
The present drought in the Sahel represents a severe manifestation of climate change, leading to reduced rainfall, a significant decline in agricultural productivity, and heightening food insecurity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The present dry spell in the Sahel is more severe compared to past droughts, reflecting broader trends of climate change. The Sahel region has experienced rainfall decreases by about 20 percent, intensifying drought conditions and negatively affecting agricultural productivity, which has declined by 34 percent due to climate change, more than any other region globally. This has serious implications for the region's primarily rainfed agriculture, exacerbating food insecurity and fueling famine fears, especially in countries like Somalia, with the World Bank predicting that half of the population could be food insecure in 2023. Furthermore, the Sahel's current conditions also threaten African fisheries, critical for millions relying on them for food. This situation is compounded by additional stressors like supply chain disruptions from the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.