Topic: Burkina Faso

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Five key reasons Ivory Coast's election led to civil war

Ivory Coast’s long-anticipated Nov. 28 presidential election was meant to help the country move beyond its deep divisions.
Instead, the vote fueled a political stalemate that sucked the country back into civil war.More than four months after voters elected President Alassane Ouattara, renegade incumbent President Laurent Gbagbo still refuses to step down even though rebel forces have now confined him to a bunker beneath the presidential residence.
Hundreds of Ivorians have died in increasingly heavy fighting that included attacks this week by the United Nations and France.
How did a simple vote turn into this? There are a number of reasons that go back years, even decades.
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At G8 summit, US taps into Africa's 'cheetah generation'

For the G8 summit, Obama unveils a promise by private firms to invest $3 billion in raising Africa's farm productivity. Many young Africans, dubbed 'cheetahs,' are posed for effective private investment.
Mali's Tuareg rebels claim independence in north

Separatist Tuareg rebels have captured large areas of mail's vast Saraha region and declared the independent state of Azawad.
Keep Calm
Mali coup leaders pledge to hand over power as Tuareg rebels take Timbuktu

Disarray following a March 21 coup has allowed Tuareg rebels to take over much of Mali's north. West African neighbors worry about spillover. 
African presidents forced to turn back from occupied Mali runway

The presidents of Ivory Coast, Benin, Liberia, Niger and Burkina Faso were due to arrive in Mali on Thursday to press for the departure of the junior officers that grabbed power in a coup last week.
Keep Calm
Outgunned against rebels, Mali soldiers overthrow government

After a string of defeats against better armed Tuareg rebels, Mali's army staged a mutiny and overthrew the government.
Africa Monitor
Chad: a closer look at the food crisis

The current food crisis in Chad could affect 3.6 million people, writes guest blogger Alex Thurston.
Africa Monitor
Amid police firings in Burkina Faso, all eyes on 2015 election

Nearly a year after protests by trade unions and students, Burkina Faso's rulers are sorting through the fallout and recently fired 100 policemen, writes guest blogger Alex Thurston.
Africa Monitor
Eritrean opposition takes its politics online

Opposition leader Mohammed Ali Ibrahim disappeared this week, and opposition-run websites wasted little time in disseminating information in multiple languages.
Famine ends in Somalia, as drought looms in West Africa

Aid groups say that improved harvests and food donations have ended risk of starvation, but warn that ongoing war in Somalia could still reverse gains made.
Nigeria closes its borders amid unrest from Islamists, strikers

Nigeria's president met with security chiefs to discuss Islamist group Boko Haram, while Nobel prize winner Wole Soyinka warned his country may be heading toward civil war.
Change Agent
In Africa, using ants and termites to increase crop yields

Researchers are confirming what African farmers already know: Termites and ants can be used to increase soil fertility and crop yields.
Change Agent
Five innovations working to empower women

Women produce more than half of the world's food but face unique challenges as farmers. Five innovative programs are helping them – and strengthening the world's food system.
For tiny Burundi, big returns in sending peacekeepers to Somalia

For poorer countries like Burundi, sending soldiers to join a UN or African Union peacekeeping mission offers financial and political benefits, as well as better arms and training.
Change Agent
Five innovations that boost soil fertility

Farmers and scientists are going beyond the massive use of chemical fertilizers to find innovative methods to improve soils and yields.
Africa Monitor
Sahel grapples with food insecurity

There are major food production shortfalls across the Sahel – the band of countries south of the Sahara – that will jeopardize food availability next year. 
Guns, migrants, mercenaries: Qaddafi's loss is the Sahel's gain

Aside from Qaddafi and his family, up to one million migrants from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso may leave war-torn Libya, and arms from Qaddafi's arsenal are already showing up in conflict zones as far away as Somalia.
Qaddafi Watch
Qaddafi reportedly tracked heading south, although not in convoy

His plan may have been to rendezvous with the convoy outside of Libya.
Qaddafi Watch
Did Qaddafi flee to Niger? Libyan convoy in Niger is reminder of Sahel's close ties.

Muammar Qaddafi may not be in Niger, but he has lots of friends to Libya's south.
Africa Monitor
West Africa Rising: New effort to boost regional trade by fighting delays, corruption

A pilot project in Ghana and Togo aims to make intra-African trade more efficient by educating shippers about customs procedures, required documentation, and traffic rules.
Change Agent
Stockpiling seeds today saves plants for the future

A quarter of the world's plant species may be headed toward extinction. Seed banks aim to prevent that.
Africa Monitor
Report: Climate change will have huge impact on Sahel

A report on the impact of climate change predicts that Mali's agricultural output will suffer greatly, which could exacerbate problems such as unemployment and security problems.
Africa Monitor
Africa's summer of strikes

Many wonder if the Arab Spring will reach Africa, but what people should really be watching is the spread of strikes across the continent in response to rising costs, inequality, and government dissatisfaction.
Change Agent
Five little-known vegetables that could help end hunger

Native vegetables such as guar, Dogon shallot, and celosia could play an important role in feeding Africa.
Africa Monitor
African incumbents face public anger in upcoming votes

Although African incumbents facing reelection have so far performed well, those still facing votes will need to tread carefully amid rising public anger.
Africa Monitor
African food prices: When they rise, why, who they impact the most

Rising food prices can prompt political and urban unrest. The potential for that is elevated in Kinshasa, the continent's third largest city.