Baku (AFP) – Activists and negotiators at the COP29 climate talks cautiously welcomed a statement from G20 leaders supporting a climate finance deal for poorer countries, but criticism quickly followed over the omission of explicit commitments to fossil fuel reduction.
General News
ECOWAS Signs Memorandum of Academic Agreement with the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies
On November 12, 2024, H.E. Damtien L. Tchinchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, led an ECOWAS delegation to Washington D.C. for the signing of a Memorandum of Academic Agreement between ECOWAS and the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies (ACSS). Colonel (retired) Dan Hampton, Acting Director of ACSS, emphasized the importance of the partnership in enhancing collaboration on conflict resolution, with a focus on human rights. Vice President Tchinchibidja expressed ECOWAS’s enthusiasm for working with ACSS on capacity building, strategic leadership, and the exchange of best practices, particularly in areas such as data collection, early warning systems, and forecasting. The Vice President was accompanied by Ambassador Kinza Jawara-Njai and other ECOWAS officials from the Permanent Observer Mission to the UN.
Source: ECOWAS website
WACSOF West African News Updates: Republic of Niger
IMF to Disburse $43 Million to Niger Amid Strong Economic Growth
On Monday, November 11, 2024, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the government of Niger reached an agreement to release $43 million to the country. The funding, provided under the Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) allocated to African nations during the COVID-19 pandemic, will be split into two parts. $17 million will go towards stabilizing Niger’s economy and supporting public finances, while $26 million will help the country address climate change challenges.
The IMF cited Niger’s “impressive” economic performance, with a projected GDP growth of 8.8% for 2024, as the basis for this financial support. Key factors contributing to this growth include Niger’s new status as an oil-exporting country, a favorable agricultural season despite floods, and the recent lifting of ECOWAS sanctions following the military coup in July 2023. The IMF expressed confidence in Niger’s continued economic performance, forecasting a growth rate of 7.9% for 2025, alongside a decline in inflation.
WACSOF West African News Updates: Senegal
Senegal’s Legislative Elections Amid Growing Violence and Alleged Use of State Resources
As Senegal approaches its legislative elections on November 17, 2024, a report from 46 civil society observers has highlighted a rise in political violence and concerns over the use of state resources during the campaign. The report notes an increase in incidents of violence during the first ten days of the campaign, as well as instances of candidates exploiting state assets for political gain. One example cited is the Minister of Health, who, while also running as a candidate in Podor, was seen distributing equipment to a local dispensary, raising concerns about the fairness of the election. Forum Civil, a watchdog group, criticized this as a violation of the principle of equality among competitors, with 26% of reported incidents involving such misuse of state resources. These concerns come as the country prepares to elect 165 new members to the National Assembly for a five-year term.