19th ECOWAS-EU Dialogue, Communiqué
ECOWAS, EU
May 2013
The 19th EU-ECOWAS Political Dialogue Meeting at Ministerial Level took place on 16 May 2013 in Brussels under the Co–Chairmanship of H.E. Charles Koffi Diby, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Côte d'Ivoire and Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers and H.E. Mr Joe Costello, TD, Minister of State for Trade and Development of Ireland on behalf of the EU. West African and European Ministers discussed the West African security situation, economic integration, food security and governance issues.
UEMOA Communiqué : UEMOA advances plans to drill 1 600 boreholes
UEMOA
Apr 2013
UEMOA ministers in charges of water approved a draft roadmap for a project to construct 1 600 new boreholes across the UEMOA area. The roadmap outlines next steps for the second phase of a rural water programme that seeks to advance progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals regarding access to water and sanitation services.
West African agriculture and climate change: A comprehensive analysis
IFPRI
Apr 2013
This book from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) attempts to fill the gap in scientific information needed to inform agricultural policy in the face of a changing climate. Produced in collaboration with the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD), and the CGIAR Research Programme on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS), the book is the first in a three-part series that will also address agricultural and climate change concerns in Central and East Africa.
Resilience: Learning the lessons
Oxfam
Apr 2013
The international response to the 2012 food crisis in the Sahel showed significant improvements over previous emergencies, but further progress is needed to prevent and manage future crises and build resilience in the region. That is the conclusion of this Oxfam Briefing Paper, which examines how lessons from previous food crises impacted the humanitarian response in 2012.
Africa's Pulse: Economic growth and poverty reduction
The World Bank
Apr 2013
Poverty on the African continent is indeed declining, according to the latest edition of Africa's Pulse. There has been significant progress towards achieving some MDGs (infant mortality rate, maternal mortality) over the past decade. The report notes that if economic growth is maintained and the necessary reforms are implemented, Africa could achieve its development goals shortly after 2015.
RPCA Policy Note: Food Security and Nutrition in the Sahel and West Africa
RPCA
Apr 2013
This Policy Note presents the main recommendations from the 28th RPCA Annual Meeting which was held within the framework of the first Sahel and West Africa Week from 4-6 December 2012 in Ouagadougou. Network members assessed the regional food and nutritionalsituation and prospects, and made recommendations for national, regional and international policymakers. This year's thematic focus was placed on the topic of"water management and food security". Moreover, the RPCA meeting provided the framework for the launching of the Global Alliance for Resilience - Sahel and WestAfrica (AGIR).
UEMOA Communiqué: France grants EUR 40 million to support UEMOA integration
UEMOA
Apr 2013
The UEMOA Commission and the government of France have signed a EUR 40 million grant agreement to support the second phase of the Union’s Regional Economic Programme (PER). UEMOA Commission President Cheikhe Hadjibou Soumaré signed the accord with the French Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Emmanuel Beth, and Robert Moulie, Deputy-Director of the Africa Department at the French Development Agency (AFD), on 28 March in Ouagadougou. France has been a supporter of the PER since its launch in 2005.
Human Development Report 2013: The rise of the South
UNDP
Mar 2013
The UNDP annual report, launched on 14 March, has "The rise of the South" as its special theme and analyses the profound transformations that the southern hemisphere is provoking in the 21st century and the emergence of a "new global middle class". As every year, the report is completed with a "country by country" assessment of progress and a solid statistical database. West African countries generally maintain their position at the bottom of the rankings of the Human Development Index. Niger ranks last, occupying the 186th place.
The Sahel Crisis: Where do European and African perspectives meet?
IES, Egmont Institute, Observatoire de l’Afrique
Mar 2013
This Policy Brief highlights the main findings of a meeting co-organised by the Institute for European Studies, the Egmont Institute and the Observatoire de l’Afrique, which was held on 27 February 2013 in Brussels. Participants emphasised the multidimensional nature of the conflict and the importance of taking into account the regional level. They recognised that the current crisis can not be resolved without the participation of all stakeholders, including Algeria and Libya. In conclusion, the Policy Brief highlights the limits of an international response and that the conflict is a protracted one that has only just begun.
Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2013
Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI)
Mar 2013
This study from the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) offers an alternative perspective on global poverty and measures progress toward reducing its impact. Researchers examined 22 countries and found that progress in reducing income poverty did not necessarily correlate with a reduction in multidimensional poverty. For instance, Ghana made significant progress in reducing multidimensional poverty, outpacing progress in reducing income poverty. Senegal was cited for reducing the “intensity” of poverty, the number of deprivations people faced simultaneously.
UEMOA Communiqué, 31st Ordinary Session CIP
UEMOA
Mar 2013
The 31st Ordinary Session of the UEMOA Inter-Parliamentary Committee (CIP) was held from 3-14 March in Dakar. Following the renewal of the parliamentary bodies of the UEMOA, the participants discussed various annual reports, including the CIP report and the UEMOA Commission annual report on the implementation of reforms and community programmes; specific actions for the development of the Union; and future prospects.
UEMOA Communiqué, Council of Ministers, 22 March 2013
UEMOA
Mar 2013
The UEMOA Council of Ministers, held on 22 March 2013 at the BCEAO in Abidjan, focused on a review of monetary, economic and financial conditions in the Union. According to the UEMOA press release, the Union’s GDP growth rate stood at 5.8% in real terms, after growing 0.6% in 2011. Despite this good performance, the economic recovery remains fragile, while inflation in all Member States has been contained, with a rate of 2.3% in January 2013.
Transnational Organized Crime in West Africa: a Threat Assessment
UNODC
Feb 2013
This UNODC report looks at six areas of criminal activity: cocaine-trafficking; methamphetamine production; migrant-smuggling; firearms-trafficking; fraudulent essential medicines; and maritime piracy. While the flow of cocaine through West Africa has considerably declined to about 18 tons (compared to 47 tons in 2007), there are many other forms of organised crime that threatens the sub-region. These threats are both a cause and a consequence of weak governance. The report recommends: 1) to conduct commodity-specific programmes to reduce contraband flows and the damage they inflict, and 2) more general efforts to enhance the rule of law and reduce corruption in the region.
Global Risk Atlas 2013
Maplecroft
Feb 2013
The 5th edition of the annual Global Risks Atlas, published by an UK-based think tank, analyses 36 risk factors in 179 countries. West Africa is experiencing the highest regional increase in risks to investors due to security risks from militant Islamists, exacerbated by poor governance and the cross-border illicit economy, with immediate implications for neighbouring countries in North Africa.
Agricultural investments and land acquisitions in Mali: Context, trends and case studies
IIED
Author: Moussa Djiré with Amadou Keita and Alfousseyni Diawara
Jan 2013
This report analyses national trends in investment flows and patterns in Mali; it assesses the adequacy of the legal and institutional framework regulating land and investment. Two examples of more inclusive investments provide insights on the potential and challenges of making more inclusive investment models work in practice.
Resilience: a Trojan horse for a new way of thinking?
ECDPM
Author: Frauke de Weijer
Jan 2013
Resilience has become a buzz word in international co-operation, but what is actually meant by resilience? “If the notion of “resilience” is ultimately used in a linear fashion, that is to say, if we believe that we can induce change from outside and in a linear fashion, the Trojan would have failed in its mission,” warns the author Frauke de Weijer. He calls for the development of a more holistic and multi-sectoral vision of change and greater recognition of existing endogenous capacities as a lever for change.
Algeria, the Sahel and the current Mali crisis
CIDOB
Author: Laurence Aïda Ammour, Chercheur
Jan 2013
This note analyses relations between Algeria and Mali and the impact on the current crisis in Mali. According to her analysis, Algeria considers Mali as the “weakest link in the chain” of countries engaged in the fight against AQIM. Algiers clearly doubts the capacity of the Malian government to effectively fight against AQIM. On the Malian side, there are suspicions over the alleged role Algiers played in the Touareg rebellions. Yet for centuries Touareg communities and other local ethnic groups have shared a cross-border space that largely escapes the authority of the national state. Beyond the climate of distrust that reigns between Bamako and Algiers, any analysis must take account of this cross-border reality.
Sahel Regional Strategy 2013
UNOCHA
Dec 2012
The UNOCHO 2013 Regional Strategy for the Sahel provides a summary of the humanitarian needs of countries in the region, notably Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. The strategy aims to provide a common approach, which requires a shared responsibility in relation to the regional context and the analysis of the current situation. Funds required to implement the strategy amount to USD 1.66 billion.
Africa Can Help Feed Africa: Removing barriers to regional trade in food staples
World Bank
Oct 2012
With recent crises including the current one in the Sahel and the 2011 famine in the Horn of Africa, the continent is typically seen as beset with chronic food insecurity. Yet a new report from the World Bank argues that Africa has the capacity to feed itself, and the key to unlocking this potential is regional trade.
Doing Business 2013: Smarter regulations for small and medium-size enterprises
World Bank, ICF
Nov 2012
West African countries are making steady progress in improving the regulatory environment for private sector development, according to the latest "Doing Business" report from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank. The 2013 report is the 10th edition of the "Doing Business" series, which analyses government policies impacting businesses in various aspects, including start-up and taxation.
Humanitarian Exchange: The crisis in the Sahel
ODI
Oct 2012
The September issue of Humanitarian Exchage magazine includes a special feature on the food and nutritional crisis in the Sahel. The magazine, published by the Humanitarian Practice Network of the UK Overseas Development Institute (ODI), takes an indepth look at both acute and chronic food insecurity in the region.
Food security and humanitarian implications in West Africa and the Sahel
FAO/WFP
Oct 2012
Published jointly with the WFP and the FAO, the September-October note finds that overall prospects for the current growing season are favourable, with the exception of a few localised concerns. This should lead to improved food security for producers and lower prices for consumers.
The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012
FAO
Oct 2012
Using an improved methodology to calculate the number and proportion of undernourished people around the world, the FAO/UN report finds that progress over the past 20 years has been stronger than previously believed. Most of the gains were recorded before 2007/2008, and the FAO reports that progress has slowed or level off since then.
2012 Global Hunger Index: The Challenge of Hunger
IFPRI
Oct 2012
Ensuring Sustainable Food Security under Land, Water and Energy Stresses
West African countries are listed among the best and worst performers in the 2012 Global Hunger Index (GHI). The annual report from the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Welthungerhilfe, and Concern Worldwide offers a multidimensional analysis of global food security and this year highlights the urgent need for sustainable management of land, water and energy resources.
Regional quality standards for food staples in Africa
The World Bank
Sep 2012
It has become accepted doctrine among development practitioners that the harmonisation of food quality standards with international specifications will allow poor countries greater access to Western markets. This trade policy note from the World Bank takes issue with this widely-held belief and offers some alternative approach to regional standards management.
GREAT Insights: CAADP and Food Security
ECDPM
Sep 2012
The European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM) has dedicated the September issue of its GREAT Insights magazine entirely to the subject of food security in Africa. The publication features an interview with Martin Bwalya, Head of the NEPAD Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), discussing the programmes successes to date, its methods for measuring success and its challenges going forward.
Regional Food Security Reserve, Faisability Study
ECOWAS and partners
Jul 2012
Within the framework of the regional food security stockage strategy developed by ECOWAS, UEMOA and CILSS, the technical Ministerial Committee specialised in Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources formally endorsed the creation of a Regional Food Reserve on 28 September 2012 in Abidjan. This feasibility study, facilitated by the ECOWAS Commission and the Rural Hub, lays out the next steps toward making the reserve operational by mid-2013.
Valuation of local products: challenges and a variety of solutions
Inter-reseaux Développement rural
Aug 2012
This 58th edition of Grain of Salt examines the various challenges facing the promotion of local products in West Africa.
Livestock sector development for poverty reduction: an economic and policy perspective
FAO
Author: FAO
Sep 2012
This evidence-based analysis highlights the role that the livestock sector can play in sustaining livelihoods and spurring economic growth. However, it warns that the specific context of each country means that a blueprint approach to policy and institutional change does not work: Identifying the most appropriate institutional and policy reform requires making space for experimentation and learning from the associated successes and failures.
Status of financial education in Africa
OECD
Jul 2012
This OECD report provides an overview of the status of financial education programmes developed in Africa, discusses their rationale, and offers initial guidance for policy makers. In recent years public authorities, as well as the non-profit and the private sector, engaged in the development of financial education programmes in several African countries. These programmes typically aim at improving financial knowledge and skills, raising awareness of financial issues, and improving financial inclusion. They usually target vulnerable groups, including low-income people, women, and youth, and sometimes deliver financial literacy training in combination with access to financial products.
Energy price shocks: sweet and sour consequences for developing countries
Overseas Development Institute
Sep 2012
This ODI paper discusses the effects of recent energy price changes on developing countries. It reviews the transmission channels between energy prices and growth and distribution in developing countries based on the most recent literature; employs a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to identify the most vulnerable countries; and presents three brief country case studies analysing policy responses to oil shocks in more detail (Nigeria, Malawi and Ghana).
A coherent EU strategy for the Sahel
EU - Parliament
Author: Dr Luis SIMON, Institute for European Studies and others
Jun 2012
The Sahel region constitutes Europe’s southern geopolitical border. Any instability there will eventually find its way into the European neighbourhood and Europe itself. The present study examines the main challenges affecting the region and offers a critical evaluation of the 2011 EU ‘Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel’. The strategy identifies the lack of governmental capacity and systemic poverty as the key challenges the region faces and rightly points to concerted action in the security and development domains as the way forward.
Policy Framework for Investment in Agriculture in Burkina Faso
OECD
Author: OECD
Jun 2012
This is the first evaluation of Burkina Faso's agricultural policies to attract more and better investment in agriculture. Within the context of the ongoing global debate on land grabbing, it provides a comprehensive review of agricultural investment policies in Burkina Faso. This government-wide evaluation - covering 17 ministries and institutions as well as the private sector - identifies both short- and medium-term measures to improve and strengthen Burkina Faso's capacity to design policies. The evaluation was conducted by the Burkina Faso Ministry of Agriculture, with the support of the NEPAD-OECD Africa Investment Initiative and the Sahel and West Africa Club, based on the Policy Framework for Investment in Agriculture (PFIA) draft.
IFPRI 2011 Global Food Policy Report
International Food Policy Institute
Author: International Food Policy Institute
May 2012
The Global Food Policy Report presents data on national government initiatives on climate change, nutrition and land degradation. It concludes by outlining four priority areas of action for 2012: further steps to rein in food price volatility should be taken by the G20; global and regional agricultural growth strategies should strengthen institutions and their capacities to make these strategies work; the Rio+20 meeting should integrate economic, social and environmental sustainability measures and commit to concrete action; and a broad multi-sector coalition should work together to address nutrition, food and health.
The global land rush: what the evidence reveals about scale and geography
International Institute for Environment and Development
Author: International Institute for Environment and Development
May 2012
The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)’s policy briefing calls for a system wide standardisation of the methodology used to collect data on timeframe, land use, deal size, and status of deals, in order to compare cross-nationally. The report concludes that “a better understanding of the trends, drivers and key players is critical to facilitate informed debate, shape effective policy responses, and promote transparency and accountability in agricultural investment.”
Executive summary, International Engagement in Fragile States
OECD
Author: OECD
Nov 2011
The principles for good international engagement in fragile states and situations (FSPs) provide a framework to guide international actors in achieving better results in the most challenging development contexts. In 2011, the Second FSP Monitoring Survey was conducted in 13 countries, including five West African countries: Chad, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Africa’s Pulse: an analysis of issues shaping Africa’s economic future
World Bank
Author: World Bank
May 2012
The World Bank notes that Sub-Saharan Africa continues to grow at a rate of nearly 5 percent and has seen a reduction in the number of people living in poverty – a first for the region. Data on West Africa indicates that resource-rich countries have been amongst the fastest growing economies in 2011. Additionally, Mali, Niger and Sierra Leone saw some of the largest percentage point declines in poverty. However, declines in export values after a global deceleration of industrial production have affected several countries. Food insecurity continues to be a problem in the Sahel. The Africa Pulse predicts that African growth will reach 6.4 percent in 2012.
International Land Coalition: Land Governance in Africa
International Land Coalition
Author: Kojo Sebastian Amanor
Jun 2012
Placed within a historical context, this report expands on the current debate on land policies in Africa. It outlines innovations that have developed in non-state land administration, major policy directions in different contexts, and efforts to implement new approaches to the “land question” among particular groups, such as community organisations. It concludes by proposing a framework that would minimise social conflicts over land, ensure greater transparency in land management, and ensure that small land holders and other customary land users can continue making important contributions to the national economy and to their communities.
ECDPM: Can the Pan-African Programme revitalise the JAES?
ECDPM
Author: Faten Aggad-Clerx and Nicola Tissi
Jun 2012
This Briefing Note lays out the the potential that a new 1 billion euro package, called the “Pan-African Programme (PAP),”can have to support the implementation of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES). The PAP aims to support the implementation of the JAES with a focus on added value of cross-regional and continental activities. It highlights the need for political decisions to be taken regarding European engagement with Africa, as well as some of the opportunities and challenges presented in the Commission’s proposal. The authors argue that the PAP should be flexible enough to accommodate contributions from EU member countries, African countries, international financial institutions and the private sector.
Global Monitoring Report 2012: Food Prices, Nutrition, and the Millennium Development Goals
World Bank
Author: World Bank
May 2012
The World Bank Global Monitoring Report 2012 summarizes the effects of food prices on several of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). High food prices lead to higher undernourishment, weaker global growth and impeded progress toward the MDGs. The report reviews policy responses—including domestic social safety nets, nutritional programs, agricultural policies, regional trade policies, and support by the international community. The report calls for regional trade integration; appropriate regulations allowing for cross-border movement of services suppliers; competitive regionally integrated services markets; and build the institutions that are necessary to allow small producers and traders to access open regional markets.Global Monitoring Report 2012: Food Prices, Nutrition, and the Millennium Development Goals
ECOWAS Statement on Mali - 14 May 2012
ECOWAS
May 2012
In the ECOWAS Statement of 14 May, the ECOWAS Commission expresses deep concern on CNRDRE statements which seem to be “clearly designed to disrupt the political transition and further destabilize the situation in Mali”. It urges the CNRDRE to respect framework agreement of 6 April which outlines the transitional arrangement between the junta and the new transitional government. In case that the transition process is further hold up, ECOWAS leaders threaten to reestablish targeted sanction again the CNRDRE and their civilian allies. ECOWAS defence ministers who gathered in Abuja on 14 May also reconfirmed the readiness of the ECOWAS Standby force for deployment to protect humanitarian corridors and assist in the efforts to recover the territorial integrity, as soon as a formal request from the Malian government is received.
ECOWAS Extraordinary Summit Final Communiqué, Abidjan, 26 April 2012
ECOWAS
Apr 2012
ECOWAS Heads of State and government reaffirm the fundamental principle of “Zero Tolerance” for power obtained or maintained by unconstitutional means, as well as the role of the military in a Democracy, as enshrined in the Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance. The ECOWAS Authority decides to deploy an ECOWAS Standby Force in Mali and Guinea-Bissau and calls for elections within a 12-month transitional period. Targeted sanctions against Guinea-Bissau were taken following failed talks.
Plan of Action of the ECOWAS Humanitarian Policy (2012-2017)
ECOWAS
Mar 2012
To facilitate the implementation of the ECOWAS Humanitarian Policy approved on 9 MArch 2012 in Cotonou, the ECOWAS Commission has developed a Plan of Action for the 2012-2017 period. This action plan outlines seven strategic objectives, focusing on the development of appropriate legal and policy frameworks, institutional capacity building at the national and regional levels as well as the involvement of civil society and the media.
ECOWAS Humanitarian Policy
ECOWAS
Mar 2012
The ECOWAS Humanitarian Policy and Plan of Action were approved at an experts meeting in Cotonou on 9 March 2012. The overall objective of the policy is to predict, prevent and manage disasters and conflicts, and enhance the protection and social situation of all West African citizens. The ECOWAS Humanitarian Response Mechanism and the Humanitarian Relief Fund aim to strengthen humanitarian response capacity through improved co-ordination and sustainable funding. Amidst the unravelling political crises in Guinea-Bissau and Mali, natural disasters and widespread epidemics in the region, the Humanitarian Policy seeks to standardise humanitarian action in ECOWAS member states “by fostering a balanced linkage between humanitarian action, human security and human development throughout the ECOWAS space based on the principle of regional solidarity.”
Emerging good practice in combating the worst forms of child labour in West African cocoa growing communities
ICI & SWAC/OECD
Nov 2011
Building on collaborative work conducted by the SWAC Secretariat in collaboration with the International Cocoa Initiative, this guidebook gathers together the experiences and ideas from representatives of governments, organisations and agencies active at different stages along the cocoa supply chain as well as from men, women and children living in cocoa growing communities. It outlines seven key messages and identifies some emerging good practices from existing interventions in the hope of contributing to their proliferation. It reflects on the roles and responsibilities of those concerned to encourage greater clarity, co-ordination and collaboration in the coming years.
Investment and regulation of large-scale land transactions in West Africa
ILC & SWAC/OECD
Nov 2011
This joint report from the International Land Coalition (ILC) and the Sahel and West Africa Club (SWAC) analyses large-scale land transactions in five West African countries (Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Senegal). While land investments are an important source of financing for the agricultural sector and for agro-industrial development, it carries with it some definite risks for small agricultural producers. Existing laws and regulations should, therefore, be better structured and developed, particularly in relation to population displacement; currently, families that have to relocate are only minimally compensated, if at all. The recommendations made in this report notably include the creation of national land observatories as well as a regional land observatory that “would contribute to information-sharing and best practices and would help draw the attention of the public sector." Creating a regional land Charter could then lead to the development of regional land management that would benefit from the diverse experiences of the different West African countries. The document is available in French only.
China and Nigeria: a powerful South-South alliance
SWAC/OECD
Author: Margaret Egbula, Qi Zheng
Nov 2011
China’s growing involvement in the African continent has drawn intense scrutiny of traditional partners and raises the question of whether or not collaboration is beneficial for African countries and their development goals. No bilateral China-Africa relationship is evolving faster, or impacts more people, than the one between China and Nigeria. The Asian giant going global meets the African giant who aims to become one of the world’s top 20 economies. This paper, co-authored by two young professionals from China and Nigeria, analyses the political, economic and social impact of this powerful South-South alliance.
Strategy 2011, Development Cooperation: A French Vision
AFD
Nov 2011
This document proposes to redefine the objectives of French policy on development cooperation, serving the interests of France and its closest partners, but also of general interest that transcends borders and which is supported by the international community is a shared duty.
Perspectives on Global Development 2012: Social Cohesion in a Shifting World
OECD
Author: OECD
Nov 2011
This report analyses the impact of "Shifting wealth" on social cohesion, largely focusing on high-growth converging countries. A "cohesive" society works towards the well-being of all its members, creates a sense of belonging and fights against the marginalization within and between different groups of societies. The question this report asks is how does the structural transformation in converging economies affect their "social fabric", their sense of belonging or put generally their ability to peacefully manage collective action problems.
Analysis of trade policies in West Africa
Afd
Author: Jean-Pierre Rolland; Arlène Alpha
Jun 2011
The study aims to identify the key activities designed to strengthen the regional coherence of trade policies in West Africa. It looks at different levels of trade policies, definitions, the state of implementation and objectives set to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals. National trade policies (Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Senegal) and regional trade policies (UEMOA, ECOWAS) are also analysed and compared. (The study is available in French only).
UEMOA Communiqué, World Bank meeting
UEMOA
Apr 2013
UEMOA and the World Bank have pledged to increase collaboration on economic integration in West Africa. UEMOA Commission President Cheikhe Hadjibou Soumaré led a delegation to the spring meetings of the Bank and the International Monetary Fund from 19-21 April in Washington.
Humanitarian Bulletin: Chad
UNOCHA
Mar 2013
This Humanitarian Bulletin updates the food situation in Chad, which remains precarious in 2013 despite good harvests. Chad has doubled its cereal production during the 2012-2013 agricultural campaign. It is estimated at 3.8 million tonnes. Yet shortages are expected because households are likely to quickly exhaust the supplies before the lean season. The arrival of about 5 000 Sudanese refugees has further complicated the situation. Humanitarian agencies are struggling to find sufficient means to support relief efforts.
Improving statistics for food security, sustainable agriculture, and rural development
AfDB
May 2011
The Action Plan for Africa for Improving Statistics for Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture, and Rural Development has been developed in the framework of the Global Strategy for Improving Agricultural and Rural Statistics in order to respond to the declining quantity and quality of agricultural statistics in developing countries. It comprises three technical components i) technical assistance, ii) training iii) research, as well as a governance mechanism and a comprehensive and detailed country assessment.
Water for wealth and food security
International Water Management Institute
Aug 2012
With substantial increases in the numbers of smallholder farmers using small-scale irrigation techniques, this report offers donors, governments and farmers the opportunity to understand what kinds of agricultural water management (AWM) techniques can best benefit farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa.
UEMOA Commissioner of the Department of Rural Development, Natural Resources and the Environment’s visit to UEMOA sites in Guinea-Bissau
UEMOA
Author: UEMOA
Sep 2012
A UEMOA Commission delegation led by Ibrahima Diémé, Commissioner in charge of Rural Development, Natural Resources and Environment visited Bissau from 20 to 24 August 2012, to examine the state of UEMOA sites in the country, in the areas of rural natural resources development.
UEMOA Inter-Parliamentary Committee Declaration 003 / CIP/2012 on the crises in Mali and Guinea-Bissau
UEMOA
Author: UEMOA
Aug 2012
West African Common Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP) - Adoption
ECOWAS
Jan 2005
28th Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government adopting an Agricultural Policy for ECOWAS: ECOWAP aims to "contribute in a sustainable way in meeting the food needs of the population, to economic and social development, to reduction of poverty in member states, and thus reduce existing inequalities among territories, zones and nations." It covers all production of agriculture, livestock and fishing sectors, along with forestry and natural resource management.
Regional Agricultural Policy for West Africa (ECOWAP) - Synthesis note
ECOWAS
Dec 2008
This document gives a brief overview of the context, challenges, vision, objectives and main orientations of regional and national programmes. It also includes a short presentation ofthe regional Offensive for food production and against hunger, deployed in response to the crisis sparked by the price rises of 2007-2008.
West African Common Industrial Policy (WACIP)
ECOWAS
Jul 2010
WACIP's objectives are to accelerate the industrialisation of West Africa through the promotion of endogenous industrial transformation of local raw materials; development and diversification of industrial productive capacity, and the strengthening of regional integration and the export of manufactured goods. It is divided into ten programmes centred on specific key objectives, namely the diversification and widening of the industrial production base, increasing the contribution of the industrial sector in the region’s GDP from an average of 6-7% to 20% by 2030, considerably improving intracommunity trade from 12% to 40% in 2030, and the exports of manufactured goods from the region to the world market (from 0.1% to 1% in 2030).
ECOWAS Regional Competition Policy Framework
ECOWAS
Mar 2007
The ECOWAS Regional Competition Policy Framework document clarifies the basic elements of a competition policy and the form that it should take within the framework of regional integration.
New horizons on African trade
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
Author: International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
May 2012
The International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development’s new publication, “Bridges Africa,” a pan-African focused monthly periodical, presents expert analysis of multilateral trade, trade policies, export, and intra-African trade integration. In West Africa, trade policy inconsistencies can be attributed to differences between community level and regional structures, lack of harmonisation between UEMOA and ECOWAS policies, and non-compliance with international agreements. The authors demonstrate that increased intra-African trade could have major impacts on poverty reduction on the continent. In addition to various perspectives on African trade, “Bridges Africa” offers global news on international developments and promotes publications and resources related to trade policy.
Africa Progress Report 2012 - Jobs, Justice and Equity: Seizing Opportunities in Times of Global Change
Africa Progress Panel
Author: Africa Progress Panel
Jun 2012
The 2012 Africa Progress Report warns that Africa’s strong economic growth trajectory is at risk because of rising inequality and the marginalisation of whole sections of society. The report focuses on four key challenges: youth unemployment, smallholder agriculture, education, and global economic governance.
Benin: Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Poverty Reduction Strategy
OECD
Author: Camille-Alex Dagba, Axel Olearius, Karina Nikov, Hugo van Tilborg, Katrin Dobersalske, Gwen van Boven
Feb 2012
Benin takes part in the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and receives aid from the World Bank. The Agence Béninoise de l'Environnement (Beninese environmental agency) carried out a participatory Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper while it was being drafted. As a result, environmental issues are now covered in both a sectoral and a cross-cutting manner in the second PRSP. This chapter is part of the publication "
Strategic Environmental Assessment in Development Practice" (English).
UNDP Report Ghana: Towards a more inclusive society
UNDP
Feb 2007
The report examines the major drivers that influenced exclusion and the involvement of a more inclusive society. The report calls for further research in the area of development and implementation of advocacy programmes as well as policy planning and implementation.
Benin: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
IMF, World Bank, Government of Benin
Dec 2002
Building on lessons learned, the Poverty Reduction Strategy paper presents an overall strategy for combating poverty which is based on all dimensions of development.
World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development
World Bank
Author: World Bank
Sep 2011
The World Development Report 2012 focuses on gender equality. The analytical core of the Report constitutes a conceptual framework that examines the factors that have fostered change and the constraints that have slowed progress. The analysis focuses on the roles of economic growth, households, markets, and institutions in determining gender differences in education and health, agency, and access to economic opportunities. The World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development argues that closing gaps between opportunities for men and women is a core development objective in its own right. It is also smart economics. Greater gender equality can enhance productivity, improve development outcomes for the next generation, and make institutions more representative.
Burkina Faso: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper
IMF, World Bank, Government of Burkina Faso
Jul 2004
Based on lessons learned, the government of Burkina Faso highlights the need to 1) complete economic and structural reform measures; 2) ensure more intensive mobilisation and more efficient and effective use of financial resources; 3) increase the focus of and speeding up reforms in the social sectors and 4) build a stronger partnership with civil society organisations.
African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption
African Union
Aug 2011
The African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption was adopted in Maputo on 11 July 2003. It represents regional consensus on what African states should do in the areas of prevention, criminalisation, international cooperation, mutual legal assistance and asset recovery. The Convention covers both public sector and private sector corruption, both supply and demand side, and a wide range of offences including bribery (domestic or foreign), diversion of property by public officials, trading in influence, illicit enrichment, money laundering and concealment of property. It is unique in containing mandatory provisions with respect to private-to-private corruption and on transparency in political party funding. Other strong points of the AU Convention are mandatory requirements of declaration of assets by designated public officials and restrictions on immunity for public officials (Art. 7) The AU Convention also gives particular attention to the need for the media to have access to information (Art. 12) The AU Convention provides for a Follow Up Mechanism involving an Advisory Board on Corruption within the African Union which is assigned a range of functions including research and collection of information, advice to governments and regularly reporting to the Executive Council on States Parties' progress in implementing the Convention drawing on annual reports to the Board by the various countries.
African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
AU (OAU)
Jan 1990
Charter outlining the rights of African children, defined as people under the age of 18, including right to life, nationality, education and freedom of thought and religion.
