west africa

West Africa still at crossroads despite recent progress, says UN envoy

13 July 2010
Root causes of conflicts in West Africa, including ethnic tensions and governance challenges, could overturn gains made in consolidating peace, leaving the region at a crossroads, a senior United Nations official said today.

UN sounds alarm on funding gap as rainy season gets under way in West Africa

9 July 2010
The rainy season is under way in West Africa and has already caused deadly flooding, but no aid has come in to help the region’s countries, sparking the concern of the United Nations humanitarian arm.

West Africa needs to work on good governance, Ban says

8 July 2010
Although some West African countries have made positive gains in consolidating peace and human rights, such strides are being undercut by the paucity of good governance, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon writes in a new report.

UN supports democratic transitions in Guinea and Niger, says envoy

13 May 2010
The United Nations is working to ensure that democratically-elected administrations are established in Guinea and Niger through the holding of peaceful elections in the two countries, which have been rocked by political instability in the recent past, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa, Said Djinnit, said today.

UN humanitarian chief to visit Senegal, Niger and DR Congo

20 April 2010
United Nations emergency relief coordinator John Holmes heads later this week to West Africa where the combined effects of poverty, food shortages and rapid population growth have put millions of people in a state of chronic vulnerability.

UN chief calls for peaceful polls in Togo

2 March 2010
This week’s presidential election is a “crucial opportunity” for Togo to continue efforts to consolidate democracy, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, appealing for the poll to be unscarred by violence.

Unconstitutional changes in West African governments spark Ban’s concern

6 January 2010
The recent resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government and other undemocratic practices in West Africa, especially the situation in Guinea, could have negative implications for peace and stability in the region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cautioned today.

SEAL THE DEAL: UN project seeks to protect West African coastline from erosion

30 October 2009
In West Africa, the coast is more than just a simple marker between land and sea. It’s also the home of millions – as much as 80 per cent of the populations of many countries live nearby – and a vital source of livelihoods and income thanks to the critical industries of fishing and tourism.

Guinea: UN rights chief calls for independent probe into Monday’s ‘blood bath’

30 September 2009
Days after security forces opened fire on an opposition rally in Guinea, killing over 130 people, the top United Nations human rights official today called for an independent inquiry into what she described as a “blood bath.”

Guinea: Ban condemns ‘excessive use of force’ against protesters

28 September 2009
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has deplored the “excessive use of force” after dozens of protesters in Guinea were killed today when security forces opened fire on an opposition rally in the capital, Conakry.