West African Viewpoints

Within the SWAC's newsletter, the Sahel and West Africa Club Secretariat gives the floor to West African personalities who express their views on relevant development topics of the region.

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	Enhanced integration is essential... by Soumaïla Cissé, UEMOA Commission President published in Africa Magazine, special issue, August 2010 "Africa has made great progress: today, we are proud to be black, to be African, and the continent can now speak out everywhere. Africa is listened to and is courted and its voice counts on the international stage. [...] However, the celebrations of our fiftieth anniversary must make us aware that political independence is meaningless unless accompanied by economic independence. And there is only one way in which we can achieve economic independence: integration, firstly at the regional level and then at the level of the African continent. The need for this is made all the more urgent by the fact that the world will in future be run by major economic blocs." > read on...
	Food Security in Niger Interview with Modibo Traoré, Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) mission in Niger 15 February 2010 "The United National Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) is helping the Nigerien government co-ordinate the response made by NGOs and agencies from the United Nations system to meet the needs of vulnerable people. OCHA helps produce regular updates on the humanitarian situation in general and on food and nutritional security in particular. OCHA is also helping to mobilise resources in support of UN agencies and NGOs to provide rapid and effective aid to those most in need."
	CILSS: The RPCA's achievements Interview with Prof. Alhousseini Bretaudeau, CILSS Secretary-General Bamako, 11 December 2009 "West Africa and the Sahel have great agricultural potential which could allow the region to feed itself and even to export surplus food. More investment, better instruments for market regulation and a kinder international context would allow this potential to be fully realised. [...] The Food Crisis Prevention Network (RPCA) offers a relevant framework in which all stakeholders identify areas with vulnerable populations and draw up consensual recommendations for policymakers and partners specialised in food crisis prevention and management."
	Floodings - a strong commitment of the Burkinan diaspora Interview with H.E. Luc Tiao, Ambassador of Burkina Faso Paris, September 2009 "The natural disaster that struck Burkina Faso on 1 September has further strengthened the bonds of solidarity between Burkinans. As soon as the disaster first started to unfold, people spontaneously took victims into their own homes until the government could step in and take charge. This solidarity was also to be seen among Burkinans living abroad. I can assure you that our compatriots living in France did not have to wait for the call for national and international solidarity – they immediately launched initiatives, both individually and through their respective associations."
	"God is not a farmer" Interview with Mr. Mamadou Cissokho, ROPPA "Unfortunately today, it is almost impossible for a young person to take up farming. Credit rates are high, there is no long-term credit, and there are no youth support funds, as there are in many other parts of the world. You know, simply leaving a difficult situation, cannot be a solution. In my book, I simply say that there are no optimal conditions today for a young person to be attracted to employment in rural areas. ROPPA’s quest is to change all that."
	The ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network Interview with Mr. Augustin Sagna, Head of Zone Office IV "It is true that in Guinea-Bissau and Guinea we knew what was going to happen. The question is to know how to respond to these crises. As ECOWAS member countries are not yet ready to give up some of their sovereignty to their regional organisation, we cannot intervene prior to the crises. It is a bit frustrating for an organisation like ours to have the signs of a red alert but no mandate to act. We hope that this can change in the future" > read on...
	UEMOA and the Crisis Interview with Mr. Hamza Ahmadou Cissé, Director of the UEMOA Commission President's Cabinet "The current crisis calls for a serious overhaul of our economic fundamentals. Our economies cannot function properly nor sustainably by excluding a growing part of the population, destroying natural resources, having blind confidence in the capacity of international markets to guarantee the population sufficient supply of food commodities and energy products at the best prices". > read on...
	Building a Network of Livestock Professionals Interview with Mr. Aliou Ibrahima, APESS Secretary-General "The deep-seated changes of traditional pastoral systems require the ability to significantly adapt: demographic growth contributes to intensifying demand and exerts pressure on production capacities; unfair competition from imported meat (dumping) hinders local production’s competitiveness. Indeed, livestock breeders cannot meet these challenges individually; which is why APESS’ mission is so important. The livestock professionals’ strength will depend on their capacity to become mobilised within one powerful livestock movement." > read on…
	Niger: Land of Transit Interview with Mr. Michel Bolouvi, Journalist "Despite the scope of migratory flows transiting through Niger, the phenomenon still scarcely generates any concern. “Travelling is not a crime”, and in this regard, Niger implements and complies with the ECOWAS provision in favour of the free movement of its nationals within its member countries. Niger has for a long time been a gateway for migrants heading for Maghreb countries, and now for Europe. However, Niger finds itself confronting the negative trends brought about by tougher border controls..." > read the interview
	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