The induction training of pioneer Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Volunteers for Liberia kicked off in Monrovia, with the Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning, Mr. Christopher Wallace, expressing immense gratitude to ECOWAS for assisting the country to end a civil war and accompanying it in capacity building to promote national development. - “ECOWAS came to our aid during the war and is now following Liberia on a new trajectory for national reconstruction, peace building, reconciliation and national development,” Mr. Wallace said while opening the ceremony on behalf of the Minister of Finance, Mr. Amara Konneh, who has responsibility for ECOWAS Aff…

Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General Office for West Africa (UNOWA), Said Djinnit, has said the political and military crisis facing Mali since last January is "a serious source of threat" to peace and security in the West African region. The UNOWA official was speaking at joint press conference aimed at "synchronizing the regional response" to the political crises. - "The situation in Mali, particularly in the north, is only a source of major threat to Mali, but also for West Africa and internationally globally on the other hand," he said at a press conference he hosted with other heads of peacekeeping missions the UN. According to …

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma has expressed his country's willingness to enhance cooperation with India in a number of areas, like infrastructure development, training, trade relations and tourism. Zuma said "In our talks we reflected on how we can further translate our historical ties into meaningful socio-economic development cooperation. Progress is being made in that regard." - Zuma was speaking at a joint press conference on Wednesday following a meeting with his Indian counterpart who is the in the Southern African country for a two day official working visit. He said “Our Ministers responsible for Trade and Industry and Trade and Commerce are of the …

The Economic Community of West African States has lifted sanctions against Mali, saying it is convinced the leaders of a military coup are committed to restoring constitutional rule. ECOWAS communications director Sonny Ugoh said the military's efforts have been 'sufficiently strong,' but that the international community stands ready to 'react appropriately' if the deal breaks down. - “We want to believe that the military junta can be trusted, and on that basis we have lifted the sanctions. And it would be dangerous for them to renege on their commitment to ECOWAS because I can't possibly see how a member state can live in isolation of its neighbours that&…

Senegalese music icon Youssou Ndour has been appointed as the West African country's minister for culture and tourism. The world music icon is one of the twenty five selected members of the new Senegalese cabinet, which also include seven women. - The announcement of President Macky Sall's new government was made Wednesday night, two days after his inauguration ceremony which coincided with the his country’s 52nd independent anniversary. One of Africa's most recognised artists, Ndour sent shockwaves through the music industry when he announced in January he was giving up performing to run for president amid rising tension over the incumbent's bid for a third term…

The African Union and ECOWAS Observer missions have commended Senegalese for the political maturity shown during the presidential run-off poll; the missions further stated that Senegal's election in which incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade conceded defeat was an example to all African leaders. - Speaking to journalists at a press conference Monday AU mission led by former Nigerian Leader Olusegun Obasanjo said "We hope that what has happened in Senegal will be emulated in other countries in Africa." Adding that Wade congratulated his counterpart; that's something other leaders in Africa can learn from." After a tumultuous first round of voting marked by riots over…

After weeks of speculation and worry as to the faith of Gambian football, the country has been cleared of any wrong action (government interference) by FIFA's Sept Blatter and his team in Switzerland after meeting Gambia's delegation headed by Hon. Alieu K. Jammeh. - According to sources, Gambia’s normalization committee under the leadership of Alhagie O. B Conateh has received blessing to go ahead and start necessary work to bring sanity to Gambian football governance and conduct election not later than 30th September, 2012. It could be recalled that the Gambia Football Association was dissolved earlier this month in the wake of Gambia's 2-1 loss to Algeria in the 20…

Gambia's ministry of youth and sports said the dissolve the executive body of the Gambia Football Association is irreversible amid threats of facing severe sanction by the world football governing body FIFA. The Gambia Fottball Association was dissolved last weekend in the wake of Gambia's 2-1 loss to Algeria in the 2013 Nations Cup qualifier opener played in Banjul. - According to Daily Observer; The Sports ministry’s permanent secretary Mambanyick Njie on Tuesday told West Coast Radio a local radio station the decision taken by the ministry is in the best interest of the Gambian people; but he was also quick to add continue to pursue the conversation with FIFA. He emph…

Senegal's presidential round runoff between the incumbent Abdoulaye Wade and his former prime minister Macky Sall will be held March 25, the country's electoral commission has announced. Under the constitution, the second round must take place on the third Sunday following the last date for publication of the result. - The campaign for the run-off vote will start as soon as final results have been published, or Thursday at the latest. Wade, who has been in power for 12 years and is bidding for a third term in office a move that has triggered weeks of sometimes deadly protests, won 34.8 percent of the vote in the first round, according to provisional results. President Wade wo…

Senegal's opposition parties have united to boot out incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade out of power by calling on the Senegalese people to vote for t his closest rival Macky Sall in a run-off vote this month. According to provisional results announced by National Election Commission President Wade came in first with 34.85 percent of Sunday's vote while Sall trailed with 26.57 percent. They will face off in a second round most likely to be held on March 18. - Senegalese music icon Youssou Ndour threw his weight behind Sall in his bid to thwart the sit-tight leader. "The change is already there, now it is just a matter of putting it into action," Ndour told journalists …

The African Union observer mission in Senegal has expressed their satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of the presidential poll in the West African country. The leader of the mission, Eden Kodjo former Togolese prime minister commended the Senegalese for demonstrating political maturity during the first round of polls which gave incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade a leading edge a little over his closest opponent Macky Sall. - Eden Kodjo further stressed the need for parties to respect the outcome of the final results to be announced by the constitutional council later this week. ‘Constant political dialogue amongst all the stakeholders in the electoral process should be encouraged…

Senegalese aging incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade who won 32 percent of votes has called on his supporters to prepare for a runoff he is still optimistic of becoming victorious. President wade made this declaration at a press conference at his palace on Tuesday; he commended stakeholders including his supporters for exercising a sense of maturity in the first round poll held on Sunday. - According President Wade he will do everything possible with his possible collaborators to ensure he is victorious in next month’s runoff. This year’s poll has been marred with pre-election violence by the anti-Wade supporters in Dakar, and major cities across the country, paralyzing almost…

Unconfirmed results from Senegal's controversial presidential election indicate a tight race between incumbent Abdoulaye Wade and former Prime Minister Macky Sall. Early unofficial results showed Wade with about 24% of the vote ahead of nearest rival Sall on 21%. - If no candidate wins an outright majority there will be a run-off. Wade's decision to stand again has sparked weeks of violent protests, although polling day itself was largely peaceful. Wade booed As voters began casting their ballots Sunday crowd believed to be opposition supporters’ loudly booed Senegal's 85-year-old president as he went to vote in his home area. President Abdoulaye Wade has ang…

Senegal's much disputed presidential election will go ahead as planned amid protest by the opposition against President Abdoulaye Wade's bid to Sunday's polls, Madicke Niang, Senegalese minister of foreign affairs has revealed. - Madicke Niang who was speaking to journalists shortly after a closed door meeting with members of the diplomatic corps to Senegal said the electoral list was controlled and scrutinized by the necessary stakeholders adding that the process is a modern technique that cannot be tampered with. According to him, the necessary political players including the United states and France ,civil society and the opposition and have scrutinised the electoral and…

With just four days before the much disputed polls, more fear is looming in the Senegalese political stalemate following reports of alleged recruitment of militia groups to force the aging incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade to withdraw his bid for the February 26 presidential elections. - However; Malick Noel Seck the leader of the main opposition Socialist Party (PS) Youth wing has also been arrested for allegedly being in possession of arms during anti-government protest in Saint Louise. Mr. Seck was convicted in October last year over the contents of a letter, in which he denounced the "immoral" silence of judges over President Abdoulaye Wade's decision to run for a cont…

Former Nigerian president, Olusegun Obasanjo, is due to arrive in Senegal as a special representative of the Economic Community of West African States - ECOWAS to broker a peace deal between the opposition and president Abdoulaye Wade's ruling the Parti Democratique Senegalaise. - According to a press release, ECOWAS Heads of State and Government endorsed the dispatch of a Joint African Union-ECOWAS High-Level Mission to be led by former Nigeria’s President Olusegun Obasanjo to engage all political stakeholders in Senegal, with a view to promoting dialogue and ensuring peaceful, fair and transparent elections in that country. Presidential elections are scheduled for 26th Febru…

The Senegalese political crisis is worsening following violent clashes between supporters of the opposition and ruling party killing three sympathizers of Benno Siggil Senegal opposition party led by Mustapha Niass 150km from Berkel Village southern Senegal. In a similar revenge supporters of the main opposition Socialist Party also launched an assault on the presidential convoy breaking windscreen of the presidential vehicle. - Riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets Wednesday after protesters defied a government ban march against President Abdoulaye Wade's bid for a third term in the February 26 presidential polls. Led by prominent opposition leaders demonstrators had attempt…

The Senegalese government has banned an opposition march planned for Independence Square in Dakar to protest against President Abdoulaye Wade's bid to run for a third term in February 26 polls. Responding to an open letter addressed to him by two co-leaders of the M23 movement Alioune Tine and Amath Dansokho, Interior Minister Ousmane Ngom told the opposition in a statement that they are not allowed to stage the protest at the foreseen date and place. - The interior minister further instructed security chiefs in the country to take their responsibly and protect the country from chaos; adding that they should avert the reoccurrence of the damage to public poverties that took place on Jun…

Senegal's President Abdoulaye Wade is facing widespread condemnation in the country side as he continues campaign to seek for a third term on February 26. The defiant aging President wooed voters in the troubled Casamance with a new peace plan as mobilization against his much disputed third term bid. - Wade, who has campaigned actively throughout the country over the past week while brushing off criticism over his third term candidacy, offered separatist rebels in the restive region a new path to peace. However; the rapper-led movement "Fed Up" called for a mass protest on Valentine’s Day to pressure the incumbent Abdoulaye Wade to step aside. Deadly riots and prot…

The Nigerian Nobel Prize winner for literature said heads of states who are trying to cling to power suffer the same fate as the dictators who were swept away by the Arab spring. Nigerian's Wole Soyinka cited the example of Senegal, Abdoulaye Wade and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, describing both of them as "irremovable octogenarian" who try to hold on to power "when clearly they have already served their time. - ‘But what happens to them to think that if they leave power, the earth will stop spinning," one of the first sub-Saharan Nobel Prize for Literature questioned. According to the Nobel prize winner; "In the end, those who treat their people as infer…

Hundreds of anti-government protesters Tuesday gathered in the central Dakar, Senegal to show their dissatisfaction over the incumbent president Abdoulaye Wade's candidacy after two civilians were killed by paramilitary police in a similar demonstration in Podor situated in the northern part of the country. - The angry demonstrator gathered, holding up signs and chanting slogans in Place de l'Obelisque, a large square in downtown Dakar. The demonstrators are protesting against the ruling by the country's top legal body which validated President Abdoulaye Wade's candidacy in next month's election for the second time since verdict was delivered. The embattle pre…

Opposition and civil society groups in Senegal have vowed to increase their fight against incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade's presidential bid. The pronouncement came after the constitutional Council rejected an appeal filed by the opposition. - Senegal's highest court also rejected opposition appeal and confirming President Wade's bid for third term for the second time in a week. The court's decision has dashed the hopes of many Senegalese who thought the country’s political stalemate will be resolved. Youssou Ndour’s candidacy was nullify because he did not file enough valid signatures. Ndour warned that country may run into a political crisis; …

President Yayi Boni of Benin Republic has been elected chairperson of the African Union in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. President Yayi Boni elected Sunday at the 18th Ordinary Summit of the African Union (AU) took over the post from Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. He is expected to lead the continental body for a period of one year. - "I have no doubt that with your great leadership ... you will conduct the work of our Union towards our agenda of peace and prosperity. I wish you all success in your efforts," Obiang added. Yayi, an economist who took office six years ago in the small West African nation, said he accepted the post with humility for…

Clashes have erupted in Senegal's capital Dakar and several other city cities ; after the Constitutional Council said President Abdoulaye Wade could run for a third term in next month's poll. A police officer has made his untimely death during clashes with civil society and opposition suppers in the central Dakar - Angered by the decision, protesters threw stones at riot police, who responded by firing tear gas. Wade, 85, has already served two terms. But the constitution was amended since he was last elected, and he has argued the law is not retroactive. In its ruling, the court rejected barred famous singer Youssou N'Dour with two other candidates from running saying t…

Gambian President Yahya Jammeh has pulled out of the race for the presidency of the African Union's Assembly. Gambia's foreign minister Momodou Tangara informed AU officials that president Yahya Jammeh has decided to with withdraw from the race for the AU presidency after a closed-door meeting of foreign minister from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). - The Gambian foreign minister Yahya Jammeh felt it better to concentrate on domestic politics. “He wants to devote the first year of his election to satisfy and meet the needs and aspirations of the Gambian people,” Tangara said, speaking on the sidelines of the AU summit in Addis Ababa. Tangara …

Amnesty International a human advocacy group based in the UK with offices around the Globe has described recently jailed former Gambian minister of Communication and others as 'prisoners of Conscience.' The Human rights group further called on the Gambia government to release the convicts with immediate effect and unconditionally. - “These men are prisoners of conscience and must be released immediately and unconditionally. Gambia must stop such acts of persecution and allow criticism to be heard in the country,” said Lucy Freeman AI researcher on the Gambia in a press release. She revealed that journalists and activists in Gambia are routinely subjected to human rig…

A Special Criminal Court in Banjul has convicted and sentenced Dr Amadou Scatred Janneh former Gambian communication minister to life imprisonment with hard labour for being guilty of treason. Three of his accomplishes Michael C. Ucheh Thomas, Modou Keita and Ebrima Jallow, were also sentenced to three years each with hard labour. - Dr Janneh and the rest were found guilty of treason and sedition. The four convicts and others at large conspired to print and distribute 100 T-shirts which carried ‘seditious’ statements: “Coalition for Change - The Gambia: End Dictatorship Now.” The prosecution, led by the chief prosecutor, Mikailu Abdullahi called 14 witnesses to tes…

President elect Yahya Jammeh of the Gambia winner November 2011 disputed presidential polls is due to be sworn in for a fourth term on the 19 January 2012 in the Capital Banjul. Jammeh made this announcement in his twitter account this afternoon 'I will be sworn in for the fourth time on January 19th 2012. Thank you Gambia. Alsaamadeh' President Jammeh stated in his tweet. - The Gambian leader, who has rule the country with iron fist for the past 17 years, was pronounced winner of last year’s in a landslide with 72 per cent of the votes, amid wide spread criticism from the Economic Community of West African states (ECOWAS) sub-region saying its fact-finding mission had found…

Gambian-born new chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been named as Gambian Personality of the Year 2011. Fatou Bensouda, 50, was named by the Gambia News and Report weekly magazine because of what the management of the magazine said was its satisfaction that Bensouda has met the criteria for the award. - Mrs. Bensouda’s decoration In view of the exemplary strides she continue to make at the International Criminal Court resulting to her r recent elevation to the top prosecutorial job of this highest Criminal Court of the world. In a letter to the press conveying the news of the award to Mrs. Bensouda, Swaebou Conateh, proprietor of the Banjul-based Gambia C…

In a move seen by many political activists as a bargaining strategy to retain his grip on the presidency Senegal's president Abdoulie Wade has authorized Senegalese prison official to free all women convicts serving prison sentences in the country's jails by January 20, 2012. - In a similar move president Wade has also extended his gesture to the ministry of justice with a donation of sixty brand new vehicles including five Limousines worth fifty million CFA francs to the staff of the constitutional courts; the very courts that is expected to determine whether he is eligible to run for the presidency for a third term or not later this year. According to mebitimrew.net; Presiden…

In a desperate attempt to draw attention of the world to what many see as one of the longest civil wars in Africa; the people Casamance, Senegal have expressed their disgust through a protest march over the protracted civil war in Southern region of that country. - The move followed attacks organized by the separatist Movement for Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC) killing and kidnapping scores of civilian and military personnel in different locations of the region. Nearly 400 people took to the streets of Mangacounda and Sédhiou village calling on the authorities to scale up security in the area to save them from the violence perpetrated by the separatist Movement for Democratic Force…

The detention of Barthélemy Diaz, the mayor of Sicap Baobab Mermoz a district of Dakar has triggered a serious political tension in Senegal. Police and youth wing of various opposition parties clash in a City Hall in the Senegalese capital Dakar over protracted detention of Mayor Barthélemy Diaz beyond the 48 hours limit. - Mayor Diaz is accused of allegedly ordering the killing of one Ndiaga Diouf. The deceased Ndiaga Diouf is alleged to have joined a group of thugs who were paid 15.000 CFA francs by senior officials of the ruling party to carry out attack on the mayor’s office in Dakar. Mayors Diaz detention has been widely condemned by opposition and civil society groups who blam…

Seegnal's President Abdoulie wade has been unanimous endorsed by the Ruling Party Democratique Senegalais (PDS) to be the party's presidential candidate in the forth coming presidential elections slated for 26 February 2012, amid serious political tension in the West African country. President Wade's candidature was endorsed by over 70, 000 party delegates in Dakar. - In a resolution presented by Mr. Ousmane Ngom the Senegalese interior minister said Wade, “has met all the requirements to take on new ambitions.'' The event was characterized by chanting party slogans and praises. President Wade whose candidature has been widely criticized by the internati…

Stigmatization and stereotypes against women on fundamental social issues has contributed to women unwillingness to engage themselves in certain income generating activities like mechanical work. However, despite this challenge Ndey Kumba Mboob a trained Senegalese mechanic who many thought wouldn't be able to stand the job for this long period is able to make a legacy for herself, due to her resolute stand in the mechanical work for the past eighteen years. - Speaking to Radio AVG in an exclusive interview Mboob explained how she came up with the garage project, she further stated that her graduation at the Senegalese/ Japanese cooperation technical school in Dakar, she secured a job i…

Diplomatic relations between Gambia and Senegal continued to sour since the discovery of arms deal between Gambia and Iran. Public opinion in Senegal points to an increasingly acrimonious feeling towards Gambia, specifically directed at President Yahya Jammeh, over increasing tension in the Southern Senegalese region of Casamance. - Rebel separatist during an onslaught last Sunday executed seven Senegalese soldiers in the town of Bingjona. The event has provoked public debates and appeal from religious leaders to, pray for definitive peace in the Casamance region. The case of the arms shipment intercepted in Nigeria, which has the Senegalese government restless over prospects of the weapo…

The Gambian leader President Yahya Jammeh has appointed his in-law Jamal Miknas, former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Information, Communication and Technology as the new managing director of the Gambia Telecommunication Company Limited (GAMTEL). - Miknas’ new appointment came following the dismissal of Katim Touray on Tuesday evening. The new Gamtel boss is said to be a brother to mother of Gambia’s second First Lady, Alima Sallah. Touray was dismissed with no official reasons, which many Gambians described as the traditional way of relieving civil servants of their duties. An insider at GAMTEL confirmed the story to AfricaNews but could not assign any reason beh…

The commissioner of the African Union's Peace and Security Council, Ramtane Lamamra, has said the suspension of Guinea from the continental body would remain, pending the outcome of the junta's agreement to a transitional government amid hopes for lasting peace in the West African country. - The commissioner said Guinea will remain suspended until the restoration of constitutional rule; he maintained that African Union would not rush into lifting the suspension because the international community is committed to the restoration of democracy in Guinea through free and fair elections. “I am afraid Guinea will remain suspended until the restoration of democratic order one ha…