Locust swarms threaten North African crops, FAO warns

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned of a continuing desert locust outbreak across Libya and North Africa, with swarms expected to expand through June and July. Active infestations have been reported in Libya—particularly near Ghat, Ghadames, and Sebha—as well as in Tunisia and Algeria. Smaller swarms in areas like Tazirbu and Bani Walid are maturing and expected to begin flying soon, potentially merging into larger groups.

With the summer breeding season set to begin in southern Algeria, northern Niger, and Mauritania, the FAO has urged intensified surveillance and control measures to prevent a broader agricultural crisis. Locust outbreaks pose a severe risk to regional food security, especially in rural economies already strained by climate change and political instability. Without swift action, the FAO warns that the infestation could escalate into a significant cross-border emergency.