The French Development Agency (AFD) unveiled its new development strategy for the next five years on 3 September. Drawing on an extensive consultation process, France intends to refocus and boost its development co-operation to build “A World in Common” that preserves and protects five common goods: people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. The new strategy has five strategic priorities and commitments. Read on

CILSS and the G5 Sahel held a dialogue workshop at the Agrhrymet Regional Centre in Niamey on 12-14 August. As a follow-up to the co-operation framework signed in February 2018, experts from both organisations gathered to explore opportunities to build synergy between key parts of the G5 Sahel Strategy for Security and Development and the 2020 CILSS Strategic Plan. Read on

The level of military expenditure in West Africa varies widely between countries. Nigeria is the fourth largest military spender in Sub-Saharan Africa – after Sudan, South Africa and Angola – and is by far the biggest military power in West Africa. However, despite its continued military operations against Boko Haram, Nigeria’s military expenditures fell in 2017 for the fourth consecutive year. Chad and Côte d’Ivoire also made substantial cuts to their military spending. Read on

Numerous extremists groups are active across the Sahara-Sahel area and in the Lake Chad region. Most are extremely mobile and operate easily across national territories because of the porous nature of national borders in the region. Their actions are being increasingly constrained by military responses launched by national governments in alliance with international partners. Read on