Latest news with #WestAfrica
Zawya
an hour ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Improving climate governance in West Africa: Three calls for inclusive climate action in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, and Senegal
Climate change is a growing threat across Africa, with West Africa feeling its effects especially intensely. According to the ND-GAIN index, Burkina Faso (162nd out of 182), Senegal (144th), and Côte d'Ivoire (134th) rank among the most vulnerable countries. They face a dangerous mix of low capacity to adapt and high exposure to climate hazards. This vulnerability shows up in more extreme weather, worsening food insecurity, and growing precarity—particularly harming women and young people. To tackle this urgent challenge, the Union of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions of Africa (UCESA), supported by the African Development Bank, has developed three national advocacy papers. These papers promote participatory climate governance that reflects citizens' real needs. They also aim to strengthen the role of Economic and Social Councils in shaping national climate policies. 'These advocacy plans put citizens back at the centre of climate action,' said Arona Soumare, Principal Climate Change and Green Growth Officer at the African Development Bank. 'By giving them full backing, the African Development Bank is reiterating its commitment to inclusive, equitable climate governance rooted in local realities. These initiatives lay the foundations for sustainable and resilient development in Africa.' According to Abdelkader Amara, current head of UCESA and President of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) of Morocco, 'UCESA is aware of these challenges and consequently intends to promote and support actions taken by African Economic and Social Councils and similar institutions that help to integrate sustainability and resilience into the frameworks for defining, implementing, and evaluating relevant institutional and policy mechanisms.' Burkina Faso: Building resilience in a Sahelian setting Located in the middle of the Sahel belt, Burkina Faso is one of the countries that is most vulnerable to climate change. This fragility is exacerbated by a limited ability to adapt, which is particularly pronounced among women and young people. The advocacy effort developed by the Economic and Social Council of Burkina Faso, aided by technical support from UCESA, reflects citizens' perceptions of the real effects of climate change. It proposes responses rooted in local realities, with a view to steering public policies towards a more inclusive, participatory and community resilience-oriented approach. Côte d'Ivoire: Towards citizen-centred climate governance Côte d'Ivoire lies in a region highly vulnerable to climate shocks. This vulnerability is compounded by the limited involvement of women, especially in rural areas, and the still marginal role of civil society. The national advocacy paper, developed through extensive consultation, captures citizens' expectations and offers clear recommendations for more equitable climate governance. It underscores the importance of fully including people's voices in decision-making processes—an essential element for effective climate action. Senegal: Citizen participation and climate resilience Senegal, a country in the Sahel-Sudan region, is already bearing the brunt of climate change. The national advocacy campaign draws on a citizen perception survey to inform a participatory discussion on future policy directions. Led by Senegal's Economic, Social and Environmental Council, in partnership with UCESA and the African Development Bank, the resulting document calls for a unified effort from civil society, researchers, NGOs, and policymakers to create climate strategies that are inclusive, locally grounded, and capable of sustainably strengthening national resilience. A regional dynamic These three advocacy papers are part of a regional dynamic propelled by UCESA, with the support of the African Development Bank. They demonstrate a shared commitment to rooting climate action in citizen participation, stakeholder synergy, and regional solidarity. Through this initiative, the Economic and Social Councils are re-asserting their role as a strategic interface between civil society and public authorities in responding to the continent's climate challenges. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Barclays Sees Senegal's Debt Burden Easing After Data is Rebased
Senegal's heavy debt burden, which has triggered its second credit-rating downgrade in five months, could ease sharply when the government does a technical reset of economic data later this year, according to Barclays Plc. The emerging oil and gas producer's 2024 nominal gross domestic product could be lifted by between 15% to 25%, Barclays analyst Michael Kafe wrote in a note to clients, pushing debt-to-GDP back toward or below 100% from 119% currently.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Mali military leader extend presidential rule, remove term limit... Who else fit follow?
Despite im promise to return democracy to im country, Mali military leader, General Assimi Goita, don secure five-year presidential term from di transitional parliament and e no need to hold elections. Di parliament approve di new bill last week, and di bill tok say 41-year-old General Goita fit renew im mandate "as many times as necessary" and until Mali dey "pacified". Dis don clear di general to lead di West African kontri until at least 2030. Mali na one of di six kontris for di Sahel region – Mali, Chad, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Niger and Sudan - wey don all experience coups since 2020. Sabi pipo say oda kontris wey bin get coups like Mali fit follow dia example now and suspend presidential elections. Restoring democratic rule? General Goita bin come to power in 2020 afta e comot former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita for coup. Less dan one year later, di general launch second coup to remove two civilians who been dey appointed sake of international pressure to bring Mali bak to democratic rule. General Goita den push UN forces comot from im kontri and cut ties wit dia former colonial power France. Neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, who bin also experience military-led coups for 2022 and 2023 respectively, follow Mali example to stop dia relationship wit France and make friends wit Russia. Di three kontris later withdraw dia membership from di Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS), to avoid pressure to restore democratic rule. General Goita now na di leader of di Alliance of the Sahel States (AES) wey Mali, Burkino Faso and Niger form new. As e don show say e sabi how to do political manoeuvring, sabi pipo say Goita dey chart course for Burkina Faso military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore, and di one for Niger General Abdourahmane Tchiane. "Wit dia effective use of misinformation and propaganda especially tru social media, dem don dey warm dia way into di hearts of pipo, especially di youths even for outside dia kontris," Kabiru Adamu, security expert and Executive Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence, tok about di three leaders. Adamu say Mali na di symbol of di complex social and political issues wey dey drive insecurity for di Sahel region, including attacks by armed Islamic groups, communal violence, human rights concerns and economic challenges. E say di military-led govment for Mali capital Bamako so far don fail to achieve any of dia stated objectives around national security, institutional reform and return to democratic rule. Instead, e dey use populism and a dislike of French control to stay in power. "But dis no go last," Adamu warn. "Crisis dey shele for Mali and e go get ogbonge consequences for di region," e tok. Opposition crackdown Since e enta power, General Goita don dey look for help from Russia to quench di jihadist violence by groups wey get link with di Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda. For im continued crackdown on dissent, di military junta don also banned evri political party for Mali. Since e introduce di ban in May, e don put two opposition leaders for detention afta a rare pro-democracy protest. Paul Ejime, global affairs analyst and publisher of say dem dey suppress di media for Mali and dia neighbouring kontris. E say afta Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger bin withdraw from ECOWAS, e dey clear say di three kontris want to dey operate witout pressure to return to civilian rule. "From wetin dey happen for Mali, e show say di military govment na opportunist power grabbers," e tok. "You can see di massive ongoing repression." However, Ejime say although di junta dey currently ride di wave of anti-French sentiment, opposition to dia rule dey increase. International affairs expert and media consultant, Ilyasu Gadu, describe wetin dey happen for Mali as "worrying and disturbing development". "Di fear be say e go dey contagious and e go spread to di oda neighbours," e tok. "If you check out di political developments for all di three kontris, na always di same. "Dem bin come like say dem be messiah, claiming say dem wan to restore order, preying on di ill-feelings of di pipo against dia democratic goment and promising wetin dem no fit fulfil, just to get into power."
Bloomberg
10 hours ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Madzima: Nigeria Insulated Against Tariffs
Nigerian inflation is expected to show a further moderation as the June CPI numbers. This comes as Nigerian stocks advanced to a record high backed by an improving economic outlook for the West African nation. Chiedza Madzima, Head of Global Operational Risk Research at BMI - Fitch Solutions spoke to Bloomberg's Horizons Middle East and Africa anchor Joumanna Bercetche on the country's performance (Source: Bloomberg)
Zawya
21 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio Hosts Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Bank Delegation, Commits to Strengthen Regional Investment Collaboration
The President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), Dr George Agyekum Donkor, has paid a courtesy visit on His Excellency, President Dr Julius Maada Bio at his state house office, where he noted that 'Your Excellency, all macroeconomic indicators have been doing well. A sign that your government is doing well. Congratulations.' The ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development is the leading regional investment and development bank, owned by the fifteen-member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Introducing the delegation to the President, the Chief Minister, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, revealed that the team is in the country based on an initial engagement the bank president had with President Bio, where an open invitation was extended for his visit to Sierra Leone. In his address, the Bank President congratulated President Bio on his recent appointment as chairperson of the ECOWAS Authority. 'Your Excellency, I want to thank you for the warm hospitality my team and I received in Sierra Leone. I also want to formally congratulate you on your position in the high office at ECOWAS.' He said. 'Your appointment is an endorsement of your leadership to deliver and the quality you have to lead the region at a time like this, when it is volatile. But we are sure that you are going to deliver,' he assured. He confirmed the Bank's commitment and full support towards ensuring that President Bio succeeds during his tenure at ECOWAS. Dr Donkor revealed that since they arrived in the country, they have met with key ministers of government and have already started conversations on key areas, including roads, tourism, infrastructure, and education, among others, noting that during their stay in the country, they will also be engaging key sector ministers for tangible investment areas. The bank president pleaded with President Bio in his capacity as Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Governance to assist the bank in ensuring it maintains its status as a non-political entity in the sub-region. This, according to the Bank, will help it develop and expand its reach, hence position itself to undertake more development projects in the sub-region. While welcoming the Bank President and team to Freetown, President Julius Maada Bio thanked the Bank President for fulfilling his promise made during their engagement on the margins the ECOWAS Summit, where he personally requested the visit in order for the bank to deepen its ties with Sierra Leone. The President expressed hope that during their visit, the bank will be able to engage several sectors, so it will identify outstanding issues that are within its scope. The President expressed his concern about regional economic integration for Sierra Leone and other countries in a wide range of areas because, according to him, 'West Africa has great potential, which we want to not only develop but also tap into for our future.' The President reaffirmed Sierra Leone's commitment to deepening its relationship with the bank, revealing that the University of Kono is one of the top priorities on his agenda, and needs to be addressed as quickly as possible. In terms of roads, President Bio said his government doesn't want to lead on mere physical infrastructure but rather, 'We want to look at both physical and digital infrastructure, as well as that of our ecotourism,' he disclosed. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.
