About: West Africa
The Sahel insurgency is shaking West Africa’s democratic foundations
The latest coup attempt in Burkina Faso is evidence that politics is failing, not merely on a national level but on a regional level, writes Faisal Al Yafai.
Undeterred by Mali junta, France opens door for more support to coastal West African states
France will not be cowed by the junta in Mali to stop its counter-terrorism operations in the Sahel region and will also focus on supporting Gulf of Guinea nations to prevent militants crossing into their territories, its foreign minister said.
Will France quit Mali? Crunch time nears as junta defies Paris
As relations between France and Mali sour rapidly, Paris is wondering whether it is time to stop providing military backup to a country run by a junta that has defied the international community.
Ebola re-emerges in West Africa with Guinea outbreak
West Africa faced its first known Ebola resurgence since the end of a devastating outbreak in 2016 on Sunday (14 February), with Guinea responding to what its health chief called an "epidemic" after seven cases were confirmed.
Nigeria’s Silent Slaughter: Indifference is not an option
As different global crises jostle for the international limelight more than ever, a humanitarian disaster intensifies in Nigeria, gaining little attention among the international community and suffering crucially from the inaction of the country’s own federal government. The International Organization...
Benin tells EU ambassador to leave, citing ‘interference’
Benin has ordered the European Union's ambassador to leave the country over alleged political interference, diplomatic sources said Wednesday (27 November).
Ebola outbreak revealed failings of Guineas health system, helped to addressed them
The Ebola epidemic, which left more than 11,000 dead over an expanse of West Africa between 2014 and 2016, has enabled experts to draw a series of conclusions in a bid to improve health services in Guinea at least, a Parliament delegation visiting the country found. EURACTIV's media partner efe-epa reports.
How EU powdered milk threatens African production
The secondary effect of the common agricultural policy (CAP) on African agriculture is a source of concern for MEPs. In recent years exports of powdered milk have soared, threatening the African dairy sector. EURACTIV.fr reports.
Index insurance trialled in sub-Saharan Africa as part of climate change fight
Since the end of the 2000s, there has been an increase in projects in sub-Saharan Africa to develop index insurance, based on weather indices such as rainfall or temperature. It is intended to help farmers cope with climate change, before droughts sets in. EURACTIV.fr reports
Water resources management: West Africa and Central Asia
A panel discussion at the Bled Strategic Forum highlighted the experience of West Africa in the common management of the water resources over a large area and progress in improving cooperation in an even larger Central Asia.
Spain’s handling of the Cayuco boat crisis
Almost a decade before the deaths of 360 people in a shipwreck in Lampedusa, Italy, shook the world's collective conscience about migration in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands - another southern European border - faced a similar challenge.
China continues to violate sustainable fishing practices in Africa
The new EU law on sustainable management of the EU external fishing fleet can contribute to forcing global parties to take more responsibility for sustainable fisheries, writes MEP Linnéa Engström, vice-chair of the European Parliament’s fisheries committee.
EU calls on Gabon to produce ‘speedy and transparent’ election result
EU election observers have called on Gabon’s electoral commission to ensure votes are counted “with transparency and speed” after this weekend’s presidential election, where incumbent Ali Bongo is hoping for a second term.
West Africa passes Ebola ‘milestone’
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone has subsided, leading the United Nations to call it a "milestone" for West Africa. EURACTIV’s partner El País – Planeta Futuro reports.
Dependence on food imports threatens developing countries, report finds
Extreme weather and restrictive export policies could create a food crisis that would threaten 200 million people worldwide, a study has shown. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Scientists prepare for potential Zika virus outbreak in Southern Europe
Researchers from the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) are developing tools to monitor the Zika virus, as it is highly likely that it will reach Southern Europe, according to the group.
SDGs: Not an à la carte menu
How do we translate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into policy? We need a more coherent and integrated approach, argue Sarah Holzapfel and Heiner Janus.
Deforestation ‘may have started west Africa’s Ebola outbreak’
Deforestation may have triggered the recent Ebola outbreak in west Africa, France’s Minister for the Environment, Ségolène Royal, told a London summit hosted by the Prince of Wales ahead of next month’s COP21 conference.
After Ebola, global health experts say crisis is the new normal
SPECIAL REPORT / After nearly a decade of economic crisis, an Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and a refugee crisis, experts say that EU health systems must get used to the fact that "shockwaves" are here to stay.
Brussels pledges €1 million to help children affected by Ebola
The European Commission will make €1 million available to help provide education and psychosocial support for children affected and left orphaned by Ebola. EURACTIV Spain reports.
German ministers visit West Africa with ‘lessons from Ebola’
Gerd Müller and Hermann Gröhe travelled to Ghana and Liberia on Tuesday (7 April) to strengthen the healthcare system in Africa. But industry officials were not in their delegation. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU gives boost to Guinea-Bissau after years of instability
International donors pledged more than €1 billion for Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday to support a 10-year development plan aimed at giving the country a new start after prolonged political instability.
German government readies EU white helmet force to combat epidemics
SPECIAL REPORT: In the fight against global diseases, the European Union is expected to take a collective approach. Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is currently planning a highly-specialised task force to combat epidemics like Ebola. He has also set aside the Medevac plane “Robert Koch” for the mission.