The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) said yesterday that it is concerned about the increase in food insecurity in Africa, especially in countries where conflict persists.

According to the continental body, prolonged fighting is affecting food production and many countries are failing to effectively feed their citizens. The situation has also been worsened by the effects of climate change.

It said starvation levels on the continent are on the rise.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisations said there are over 280 million food-insecure people in Africa.

A report by the Food and Agriculture organisation, the World Food Programme identifies Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Sudan at high alert levels of food insecurity. Part of the reason for insufficient food supply in these countries is conflict.

The UN has also raised the red flag in West Africa where over 27 million people are food insecure in Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Mali, and Nigeria partly because of conflict.

An analysis report by Amani Africa, African research think tank shows that due to conflict in some countries, humanitarian aid does not reach the intended beneficiaries.

The report further notes that parties to war are accused of using starvation as a tactic of war and destruction of agricultural inputs, products and infrastructure.