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by Mr. Normand Lauzon, SWAC Director
The 2nd Euro-African Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development, held in Paris on 25 November 2008, did not give much attention on the regional dimension of African migration. Should it again be brought to mind that most West African migration is indeed intra-regional as well as the fact that intra-regional fluidity contributes to reducing migratory pressure on ECOWAS’ external borders? Without a doubt. The SWAC must continue to reiterate the need to address West African migration within their regional realities. This takes time. We are patient and determined.
The history of the Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA) illustrates that these two qualities (patience and determination) are often rewarded. For the 24th consecutive year, network members met to assess the agricultural campaign (2008) during which production was abundant for West African farmers. This was facilitated by satisfactory climatic conditions and through policies, more voluntarist than in the past.
Agriculture remains a major concern although the food crisis and the excessive rise in prices seem to be under control for the moment. The international community is continuing to focus on this issue. The Forum on Agricultural Investment held in Paris on 8 and 9 December, to which we contributed, attests to this. Serious promises have been made. Africans have heard them and now request their implementation.
The SWAC’s Strategy and Policy Group (SPG) meeting was an opportunity to present to the SPG members the results of the work carried out in 2008. The Regional Atlas and the 2007-2008 West Africa Report, as well as our recent publications on migration were very well-received. We will continue to monitor the changes in West Africa. This is essential for policy dialogue and the implementation of West African regional policies.
SPG contributing members asked us to “help them help.” We will thus stronger focus on regional aid which must be integrated within the Paris Declaration. Regional aid also means in many cases to provide assistance with greater effectiveness. We hope that we will soon be able to have good news in this regard.
The mandate of our President, Mr. Charles Goerens, will expire at the end of this year – his “noble task” as he said at our SPG meeting. At the conclusion session, Mr. Goerens was warmly thanked for his commitment and faith in West Africa.
The entire Secretariat team sends you their best wishes for 2009.
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