ECOWAS leaders gathered on 14 September in Ouagadougou at an extra-ordinary session on terrorism. While calling upon the UN Security Council to resolve the Libyan crisis, ECOWAS leaders adopted a priority action plan for 2020-24 focusing on eight areas. In a bid to leverage member countries’ contributions and strengthen ECOWAS leadership, the authority pledged USD 1 billion for the community’s counter-terrorism efforts. Read on

Twenty African heads of state participated in the Seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7), which was held in Yokohama on 28-30 August under the theme “Advancing Africa's Development through People, Technology and Innovation.” The summit resulted in a three-year joint co-operation plan to move the Japan-Africa relationship from aid to business, and further increase Japanese private investment (estimated at USD 20 billion over the past three years). Read on

The world’s leaders, including five African presidents, met at the G7 Summit in Biarritz in France from 24-26 August 2019, and placed the fight against inequality at the heart of their discussions. Beyond the major global challenges (survival of the Amazon; global trade; stability in Iran, Libya and Hong Kong) the G7 agenda also included a strong focus on Africa. G7 leaders announced an USD 251 million package to support women entrepreneurs in Africa. France and Germany intend to launch the Partnership for Security and Stability in the Sahel. Canada and Japan will join the Sahel Alliance as observers. What else has been decided at the Biarritz summit? Read on

The government of Mali, with the support of the UEMOA Commission and its international partners, multiplies efforts to bring back peace in its fragile border regions. They held a three-day workshop to launch an inclusive dialogue on peace, security and development issues in Mali’s border areas. The inception workshop was held in Sikasso, in southern Mali, from 15-17 July 2019. Several intra-community peace agreements have been concluded. Read on