Conflict, drought and food price inflation are the main causes of food insecurity in Nigeria. The Boko Haram conflict has displaced massive numbers of people and has put more pressure on food resources in the northeastern part of the country, where violence is leading to a decline in agricultural production and is depriving farmers of stable incomes. Nutrition interventions need to be extended across the country, and involve related issues, such as maternal nutrition. Read on

COP23 opened in Bonn, Germany, on 6 November. Africa, which is extremely affected by climate change, is at the centre of the discussions – a fact highlighted by the creation “Africa Day” during this edition, which is organised jointly by the AfDB, the African Union, UNECA and NEPAD. The continent’s core concern is its ability to put the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), which were announced at COP21 in Paris, into operation from a financial perspective. This issue was discussed in the West African context at a side event organised on 9 November by CILSS, ECOWAS, UEMOA, BOAD and OIF. Read on

The 32nd CILSS Day was celebrated by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) on 12 September and focused on the theme, “Land use and occupation: Atlas of Sahelian and West African landscapes, a planning and decision-making tool.” In his speech, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta of Mali, who is also current chairman of CILSS, stressed the importance of this theme. Read on

After Sierra Leone, Niger is counting its flood victims as torrential rainfalls have plagued the country since June. At least 44 people have died from the floods according to the most recent government announcement; Dosso and Maradi are the two most affected regions. According to an UNOCHA situation report on 30 August, the floods have affected more than 80 000 people, destroyed 4 900 houses and 900 hectares of crops and caused substantial material damage. Read on