SWAC News - October 2008

The financial tsunami that has shaken the foundations of the global economy since the month of September eclipsed all other subjects of concern in the media of developed countries. In Africa, many people cannot understand how billions of dollars can be raised in a few short weeks to save banks while continuing to explain that it is difficult to find an increase of a few billion dollars for development aid? >> read on

THE IMPACTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CRISIS ON WEST AFRICA

Interview with Mr. Lionel Zinsou

"It is true that the prevailing opinion is that the African economies are not very exposed and are thus “protected” from the after-effects. But no one anywhere is safe from the effects of a crisis of this scope. There are no isolated circumstances in such a serious situation." >> read the interview

WEST AFRICA REPORT 2007-2008

The SWAC/ECOWAS Editorial Committee validated the Report at its 2nd Workshop held on 24 and 25 October 2008 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). The synthesis of the Report (currently being finalised) shall be presented to the ECOWAS Summit on 17 December 2008 thus enabling the dissemination of the Report in West African and OECD countries. While awaiting the official release, you can already consult some chapters online including six interviews with West African personnalities. > learn more

FOOD SECURITY COUNTRY PROFILES

The profiles describe the structural causes of food and nutritional insecurity. The SWAC and the CILSS co-ordinated the production of the nine CILSS country profiles. This exercise will be extended to the eight non-Sahel West African countries. A global overview of the country profiles and the outreach strategy will be presented at the 24th Annual Meeting of the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA). >> learn more

CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION

A SWAC/ECOWAS Roadmap

While the K2M programme feasibility study (European Commission financing) is being finalised, the SWAC and the ECOWAS Commission’s Free Movement of Persons and Tourism Department have agreed on the framework of their partnership for 2009-2010. The Memorandum signed 23 October 2008 will guide the implementation of joint activities divided up according to the mandates and specific know-how of the ECOWAS Commission and the SWAC Secretariat. A meeting of West African cross-border co-operation actors is planned for January 2009 in Abuja (Nigeria) to define a shared roadmap for joint cross-border co-operation activities. > learn more

ADA-SWAC WORKSHOP

Vienna (Austria), 25 October 2008

The SWAC team met with the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) in order to have an exchange of views on topics of common interest: 1) peace, security and conflict prevention; 2) food security and rural transformation; and 3) regional co-operation. Focal points within the ADA and SWAC teams were identified during the meeting. They will facilitate regular exchanges on these topics. ADA also confirmed its financial contribution to the SWAC’s 2008 budget.

> Contact: normand.lauzon@oecd.org

FOOD SECURITY AND THE OUTLOOK FOR THE 2008 HARVEST

CILSS Meeting

Praïa (Cap Verde), 6-10 October 2008

For CILSS and ECOWAS countries, provisional estimates for cereal production are between 52 and 56 million tonnes. For CILSS countries, production could be between 16.5 and 18.5 million tonnes, i.e. an increase of 10 to 23% compared with 2007. While the agricultural campaign seems satisfactory, marketing the surplus could prove difficult therefore affecting farmers’ revenues. Market regulation thus remains a key concern.

> Mission Report by Mr. Zoundi, SWAC (French)

SETTING-UP OF THE PEACE EXCHANGE PLATFORM

ECOWAS Workshop

Dakar (Senegal), 7-9 October 2008

At the workshop, the framework of the implementation of the Peace Exchange web-platform was defined; its objective is to encourage exchanges of comments and observations among security actors in West Africa. This initiative is part of ECOWAS’ efforts to render its Early Warning System (ECOWARN) more operational. During the workshop, the SWAC was invited to share its expertise regarding conflict prevention.

> Contact: massaer.diallo@oecd.org

WEST AFRICAN MOBILITY AND MIGRATION POLICIES OF OECD COUNTRIES

West Africa Studies

This SWAC/OECD publication contributes to the Euro-African dialogue initiated at the Rabat Conference in July 2006: it reviews migration policies in the main OECD countries receiving West African migrants and analyses the recent discussions within Europe. This report lists common approaches undertaken in Europe, Africa and West Africa and aims to shed light on decision makers’ strategic thinking. It provides the greater public with an understanding of this recent dynamic. > learn more

24th Annual RPCA Meeting

Dakar (Senegal), 24-28 November 2008

The 24th annual meeting of the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA), hosted by the Senegalese Government, will focus on “the role and importance of the market in food security in the Sahel and West Africa.” Network members will also exchange views on the agricultural, food and nutritional situation for the 2008/2009 campaign. > learn more