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Cross-Border Co-operation & Food Security in the K²M Corridor
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SWAC Director, Mr. Normand Lauzon, together with Mr. Musa Mbenga, Executive Secretary of the CILSS and other SWAC partners, participated in a joint mission in the framework of the initiative on "Cross-Border Co-operation & Food Security in the Kano-Katsina-Maradi (K²M) Corridor", in Niamey (Niger) on 21 and 22 February 2007. Following several working sessions with high-level government representatives and technical staff of Nigerien ministries, Mr. Lauzon met with President S.E. Mamadou Tandja to discuss objectives and next steps of the K²M initiative. He also met with the financial partners of the K²M initiative, Mr. Michele Falavigna, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, and Mr. Paul Vossen, First Counsellor of the Delegation of the European Commission, to facilitate the mobilisation of technical and financial resources. A cross-border workshop will be organised in Katsina (Nigeria) by July 2007 (date not yet confirmed). UNDP has already confirmed its financial contribution for the organisation of the meeting. > learn more
> Contact : philipp.heinrigs@oecd.org
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SWAC Participation in the ECOWAS Commission Retreat
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Mr. Lauzon was invited by ECOWAS to participate as a resource person at the Retreat of the new ECOWAS Commissioners held in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) from 25 February to 3 March 2007. The Retreat aimed to (i) develop team spirit and a shared vision between the seven new ECOWAS Commissioners; (ii) facilitate the effective establishment of the Commission; (iii) better respond to the challenges and priorities set by the ECOWAS Authority. Dr. Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission, highlighted in his closing statement that the Sahel and West Africa Club continues to be a strong partner in the quest for moving West Africa forward. The SWAC has prepared a working document on West Africa (French only) to facilitate discussions at the Retreat.
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Regional Workshop on the DDR, Post-Conflict & Development in West Africa
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The second meeting of the Regional Working Group on "DDR, Post-conflict and Development in West Africa", organised by the SWAC in collaboration with ECOWAS, was held in Praia, Cape Verde from 28 February 2007 to 1 March 2007. The Cape Verde Prime Minister, Mr. José Maria Neves opened the meeting which brought together about thirty participants including regional development partners (Canada, France, Germany and Portugal), field-level actors involved in DDR and post-conflict activities (Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone) as well as representatives from regional and international organisations (African Development Bank (AfDB), Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), ECOWAS, International Organisation of Francophone Nations (OIF) and the World Bank). The meeting took stock of the current situation of post-conflict countries in West Africa, identified the challenges related to the socio-cultural, political and economic reconstruction processes and set up the Regional Working Group. > more
> Contact: massaer.diallo@oecd.org
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SWAC Support to Local Cross-Border Initiatives
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Steering Committee Meeting of Beekeeping Sector Professionals in Brikama (the Gambia)
Gambian Beekeeping Sector Professionals discussed the implementation of joint activities set out in the 2007 Cross-Border Action Plan together with partners from Guinea-Bissau and Senegal. Activities aim to increase production and to promote the sustainability of the industry in the Senegambia region (Sénégambie méridionale). A cross-border study on “Pollination and Apiculture fostering Agricultural Development” will be launched in 2007.
> Contacts : emmanuel.salliot@endadiapol.org or marie.tremolieres@oecd.org
Workshop for Community Radio Professionals in Bignona (Senegal)
The workshop, financed by Enda-Diapol, GTZ Procas and the SWAC, aimed to (i) strengthen relationships between community radio professionals, (ii) attract new radio members, (iii) prepare a common work and training programme for 2007 and (iv) develop a fundraising strategy. The community radio covers the border area between Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and The Gambia. One of the objectives is to facilitate the dissemination of ECOWAS legal texts on the free movement of people and goods.
> Contacts: emmanuel.salliot@endadiapol.org or marie.tremolieres@oecd.org
2nd meeting of the Pilot Operation on Local Development Issues in the Karakoro Basin
As a follow up to the pilot operation launched in September 2006 in Nouakchott (Mauritania), the Research Group and Achievements for Rural Development (GRDR) organised a second meeting inviting local/national authorities and representatives from civil society to discuss local development issues such as infrastructure, natural resources and dynamics of the local economy.
> Contact: grdr@mauritel.mr; also visit: www.grdr.org
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Follow-Up on Upcoming Elections in West Africa
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Mr. Lauzon was invited to join the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Assan Seïbou, and the former Nigerien Minister of Communication, Mr. Hassoumi Massaoudou, to participate in the debate (“Le Débat “) on the electoral year 2007 in West Africa that was broadcasted by Radio Africa n°1 on 15 February 2007. The debate is part of a series of regular meetings with media representatives, aiming to accompany the numerous elections that will take place this year in West Africa.
> Contacts: massaer.diallo@oecd.org
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New SWAC Logo
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The Sahel and West Africa Club has the pleasure to present its new logo:
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