The United Kingdom is increasing its diplomatic presence in the Sahel and intends to scale-up its development assistance. During her three-day visit to Africa, UK Prime Minister Theresa May announced the UK government would open embassies in Chad and Niger. The embassy in Mali will also be expanded. By 2019, the UK intends to support up to 2.5 million people to avoid the worst effects of drought and insecurity and support up to 2.3 million people with food assistance. Read on

The Togolese capital hosted a series of important events for West Africa’s regional organisations. UEMOA leaders met on 30 July 2018 for the 20th Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government. Just after the UEMOA summit, ECOWAS leaders gathered for their 53rd Ordinary Session of Heads of State and Government. President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria was nominated as new ECOWAS chairperson. The joint ECOWAS-ECCAS summit was held on 30 July and focused on the security situation in West and Central Africa. Heads of state adopted the Lomé Declaration to collaborate on peace, security and the fight against terrorism and violent extremism in the ECOWAS-ECCWAS space. Read on

The Sahel and West Africa Club’s governing board, also called the Strategy and Policy Group (SPG), convened on 18-19 June 2018 for an important discussion of SWAC’s future work priorities. SWAC Members appointed Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, current Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD, as SWAC President. He will assume this function as of 1 January 2019. 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