Top official warns of weakened regional security following withdrawal from West African economic bloc by Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger

13 july 2024 - 05:42:15
New York, US (PANA) - Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger’s decision to pull out of the Economic Community of West [...] Full text...

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Guterres names Barrie Freeman new Deputy Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel

11 may 2024 - 14:52:34
New York, US (PANA) - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday announced the appointment of Barrie Freeman of the [...] Full text...

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Challenges to democracy compound instability in West Africa: Top envoy

12 january 2024 - 05:28:12
New York, US (PANA) - West Africa has seen shifting political sands throw up contrasting challenges over the past six [...] Full text...

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Last UN peacekeepers poised for complete withdrawal from Mali

31 december 2023 - 07:54:11
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The UN peacekeeping operation in Mali is poised to complete its drawdown on Sunday following a [...] Full text...

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Niger coup: Crisis could worsen insecurity throughout West Africa, UN envoy warns

02 august 2023 - 06:31:10
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The security situation in wider West Africa could worsen unless the political crisis in Niger is resolved, the top [...] Full text...

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Niger coup: UN to continue efforts to restore constitutional order as Mali, Burkina Faso warn against military action

01 august 2023 - 06:25:43
Niamey, Niger (PANA) - The United Nations says it will continue consultations with its partners to restore constitutional order in [...] Full text...

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‘Real challenges’ must be addressed beyond polling day, urges UN West Africa envoy

26 july 2023 - 06:50:04
New York, US (PANA) - While national elections in West Africa and the Sahel provide an important opportunity for voters [...] Full text...

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Dissolution of Mali UN peacekeeping mission 'serious blow' to civilian protection - HRW

02 july 2023 - 13:17:03
Dakar, Senegal (PANA) - A human rights advocate has described the vote of the United Nations Security Council to dissolve [...] Full text...

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UN Security Council terminates Mali peacekeeping mission

30 june 2023 - 20:13:20
New York, US (PANA) - The Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the complete withdrawal of UN peacekeeping forces in [...] Full text...

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Top UN official for Africa calls for added action to stop piracy’s spread

22 june 2023 - 06:36:57
New York, US (PANA) - International cooperation is making waves in combatting piracy in West Africa, but addressing its root [...] Full text...

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Trafficking in the Sahel: Muzzling the illicit arms trade (Feature by UN News)

11 june 2023 - 07:06:00
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Shoppers in Mali’s Gao, Timbuktu, and Ménaka regions in Mali can snap up AK-pattern assault rifles [...] Full text...

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AU appoints Mohamed Ibn Chambas High Representative for Silencing the Guns

26 january 2023 - 07:32:59
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The African Union (AU) has appointed Ghanaian diplomat, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, as the AU [...] Full text...

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UN calls for immediate release of 50 women and girls abducted in Burkina Faso

18 january 2023 - 04:59:37
New York, US (PANA) - Some 50 women and girls in Burkina Faso who were abducted last week while looking [...] Full text...

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Collaboration and resilience against violent extremists in West Africa and Sahel must be strengthened, says UN

11 january 2023 - 15:17:22
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - UN Deputy Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel Giovanie Biha said on Tuesday [...] Full text...

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‘Unprecedented’ insecurity in West Africa and the Sahel, Security Council hears

11 january 2023 - 05:24:48
New York, US (PANA) - Although West Africa and the Sahel continue to face unprecedented security challenges, it is still [...] Full text...

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Greater democratic rule vital to boost security in West Africa and the Sahel, UN Security Council hears

07 july 2022 - 20:16:02
New York, US (PANA) - Democratic and responsible governance is needed to counter ongoing insecurity in West Africa and the [...] Full text...

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Burkina Faso: Annadif stresses importance of coordinated response to help Burkina Faso

09 february 2022 - 20:27:39
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Reporting on the overall situation in Burkina Faso, UN Special Representative Mahamat Saleh Annadif, on [...] Full text...

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African Union suspends Burkina Faso following coup

31 january 2022 - 18:27:54
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The African Union (AU) suspended Burkina Faso from its membership on Monday following the coup [...] Full text...

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Burkinabe crisis: UN Special Representative expected in Ouagadougou on Monday

30 january 2022 - 16:47:02
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Office for [...] Full text...

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UN top envoy: Resurgence of coups d'état, consequence of being ‘completely out of step’

11 january 2022 - 05:48:14
New York, US (PANA) - After a recent wave of attempts and coups d'état in Central African Republic, Mali, Sudan and Guinea, the UN Special [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS leaders praise Gambia for peaceful election, maturing democracy

12 december 2021 - 16:48:16
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - ECOWAS leaders have congratulated President Adama Barrow for his re-election for a second term, commending him [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS names former top official Ibn Chambas Special envoy to Guinea

07 november 2021 - 19:24:26
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - ECOWAS leaders on Sunday appointed Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas as its Special Envoy to Guinea as [...] Full text...

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Special Rep. of UN Secretary-General calls on Gambian president

09 june 2021 - 19:17:19
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for West Africa and the Sahel, Mr Mahamat [...] Full text...

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UN Secretary General's rep. meets Guinea president

08 june 2021 - 12:07:57
Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General and head of the UN Office for West [...] Full text...

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UNDP, UNOWAS officials meet Nigerian Army Chief over insecurity in Lake Chad Basin

28 april 2021 - 18:23:15
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) – Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, on Wednesday met with Resident Representative of [...] Full text...

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Chambas urges Gambians to build consensus ahead of December elections

01 march 2021 - 13:16:57
Banjul, Gambia (PANA)-  The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and [...] Full text...

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Mauritanian diplomat expected to head Mali UN peacekeepers

16 february 2021 - 10:52:44
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - Mauritanian diplomat, El Ghassim Wane, is expected to head the United Nations Integrated Multidimensional Stabilization Mission [...] Full text...

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Top UN official says democracy in West Africa ‘a constant process’

12 january 2021 - 06:41:58
New York, US (PANA) - While elections are one-time events, “democracy is a constant process of deliberation and consultation” where [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS and perennial political crises (By Paul Ejime, PANA Guest writer)

16 october 2020 - 11:49:51
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - All too soon, but as expected, World  attention is shifting from Mali after a frenetic diplomatic [...] Full text...

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Joint ECOWAS, AU, UN mission expected in Guinea

01 october 2020 - 11:45:00
Conakry, Guinea (PANA) - A high-level delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU) [...] Full text...

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Top UN official urges Ivorians to work together for peaceful presidential vote

28 september 2020 - 10:48:17
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Office for West [...] Full text...

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UN Representative in Guinea Bissau urges political leaders to enact reforms

11 august 2020 - 06:10:34
New York, US (PANA) - Entrenched political divisions in Guinea-Bissau pose a serious threat to stability in the West African country, [...] Full text...

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Inter-communal violence, terrorist attacks inflame tensions in West Africa: Chambas

09 july 2020 - 22:27:58
New York, US (PANA) - Inter-communal violence and persistent attacks by extremists continue to undermine peace and security across West [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS at 45 and the dream of its founding fathers (By Paul Ejime, PANA Guest writer)

29 may 2020 - 13:41:40
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - After almost five decades of existence, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), arguably Africa’s [...] Full text...

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Coronavirus: UN to set up regional humanitarian hubs to combat pandemic

23 april 2020 - 16:00:30
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The United Nations is working closely with national governments to set up regional humanitarian hubs in [...] Full text...

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UNHCR says escalating Burkina Faso violence creates wider Sahel displacement emergency

22 february 2020 - 05:20:07
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Deadly attacks on villages in Burkina Faso have forced 150,000 people to flee in just [...] Full text...

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‘Unprecedented terrorist violence’ in West Africa, Sahel region, says senior UN official

09 january 2020 - 08:25:27
New York, US (PANA) - The top UN official in West Africa and the Sahel updated the Security Council on [...] Full text...

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UN envoy commends successful conclusion of Guinea-Bissau presidential election

03 january 2020 - 06:08:04
Bissau, Guinea Bissau (PANA) - The head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) has underlined the [...] Full text...

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Joint UN, ECOWAS Mission warns of growing security threats In W.A., Sahel

27 december 2019 - 23:01:57
Monrovia, Liberia (PANA)  - A visiting joint delegation of the ECOWAS and United Nations Friday expressed concern over the growing [...] Full text...

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West Africa ‘shaken by unprecedented violence’, UN envoy tells Security Council

17 december 2019 - 05:50:56
New York, US (PANA) - The UN envoy for West Africa and the Sahel region, told the Security Council on Monday [...] Full text...

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New report reveals 'unprecedented humanitarian crisis' in Mali

13 december 2019 - 06:51:47
New York, US (PANA) - Escalating violence and insecurity in Mali have sparked an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, rendering 3.9 million [...] Full text...

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UN representative for West Africa 'saddened' by death of 62 migrants

10 december 2019 - 12:53:20
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa [...] Full text...

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Electoral Violence and other threats to democracy in Africa (By Paul Ejime (PANA Guest Writer)

10 december 2019 - 10:38:32
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - The disturbing images of violent activities that saturated the social media space during the recent governorship [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS Heads of State committed to eradicate terrorism

15 september 2019 - 19:17:29
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) – Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have committed [...] Full text...

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How ECONEC supports credible elections in West Africa (By Paul Ejime, PANA Guest Writer)

18 august 2019 - 08:51:22
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Elections, as imperfect as they may be, are an integral part of the democratic process. They [...] Full text...

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Buhari commends Econec for setting electoral standards in West Africa

05 august 2019 - 17:58:13
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has lauded the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) for promoting credible [...] Full text...

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Successful elections, ‘political dialogues’ push democracy forward in West Africa, Sahel

25 july 2019 - 05:08:57
New York, US (PANA) - Progress has been made in consolidating democracy in West Africa and the Sahel, according to [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS leaders concerned with post-electoral crisis in Benin

02 july 2019 - 20:35:21
Cotonou, Benin (PANA)   -  The heads of state of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have expressed concern [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS, UNOWAS worried over post-electoral crisis in Benin

04 may 2019 - 12:09:51
Cotonou, Benin (PANA) – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the UN Office for West Africa and [...] Full text...

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More attacks, ‘persisting security challenges’ threaten progress in West Africa, Sahel

11 january 2019 - 03:04:16
New York, US (PANA) - A rising number of attacks by extremist groups, using more sophisticated tactics, risk undermining progress [...] Full text...

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Chambas says UN is committed to support Gambia

17 october 2018 - 08:36:40
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of United Nations Office for West Africa and [...] Full text...

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UN Security Council concerned by 'grave security situation' in Central Africa

11 august 2018 - 07:43:53
New York, US (PANA) - With Central African countries beset by ongoing terrorist activity, instability and the effects of climate [...] Full text...

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UN-backed meeting of African States targets terrorism, violent extremism

03 august 2018 - 00:10:07
New York, US (PANA) - Regional security topped the agenda of a United Nations-backed joint summit on Central and West [...] Full text...

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Signs of democratic progress in West Africa, Sahel amid ‘devastating’ violence - UN

18 july 2018 - 06:39:18
New York, US (PANA) - There have been “positive developments” when it comes to democratization across the vast West Africa [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS Commission President ends Gambia visit

13 july 2018 - 19:45:35
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The ECOWS Commission President, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head [...] Full text...

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Sahel region must be a top priority for UN peacebuilding efforts - UN commission

29 june 2018 - 19:34:51
New York, US (PANA) - The vast Sahel region of Africa, which is facing multiple threats and challenges – including [...] Full text...

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ECOWAS election assistance improving polls with integrity in West Africa

10 april 2018 - 16:28:12
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) - A book on "A Decade of ECOWAS Electoral Assistance in West Africa" has been unveiled in [...] Full text...

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UN official renews organisation's support to Gambia

19 february 2018 - 13:21:12
Banjul, Gambia (PANA)- The United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for [...] Full text...

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'Boko Haram attacks, human trafficking threaten progress in West Africa, Sahel'

12 january 2018 - 05:07:28
New York, US (PANA) – The security situation in West Africa and the Sahel remains of grave concern, the United [...] Full text...

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UN chief congratulates Weah on Liberia election victory

30 december 2017 - 04:18:24
New York, USA (PANA) – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday congratulated George Weah on his election as the [...] Full text...

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UN West Africa cheers regional initiatives on governance, others

02 december 2017 - 17:06:52
Monrovia, Liberia (PANA) – A meeting in Monrovia of UN heads of Missions in West Africa has welcomed regional initiatives [...] Full text...

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UN West Africa Missions nudge compliance with Liberia's transition timetable

02 december 2017 - 16:36:33
Monrovia, Liberia (PANA) - The Heads United Nations Missions in West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) have noted the importance [...] Full text...

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Togo: Togo opposition denounces international community's 'support' for referendum

06 october 2017 - 09:51:47
Lomé, Togo( PANA) - Togolese opposition leader Jean-Pierre Fabre has lashed out at key international bodies urging the West African [...] Full text...

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US: UN Security Council expresses concern over threats of terrorism in West Africa

25 july 2017 - 05:44:23
New York, US (PANA) – The Security Council on Monday welcomed recent "positive political developments" in some West African countries, [...] Full text...

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US: Envoy calls on UNSC to further support fight terrorism in West Africa, Sahel

14 july 2017 - 05:32:00
New York, US (PANA) - Amid rising terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa, the United Nations envoy for the [...] Full text...

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US: ‘Disproportionate emphasis on security would undercut sustaining peace in Sahel'

29 june 2017 - 05:43:16
New York, US (PANA) – The United Nations deputy chief on Wednesday stressed the need to “avoid a disproportionate emphasis [...] Full text...

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Gambia: UN Official urges Gambians to put national interest above all others

08 april 2017 - 18:46:11
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the Special Representative of the United Nation Secretary General for West Africa and [...] Full text...

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US: West Africa can serve as a model for preventive diplomacy – UN political chief

07 march 2017 - 05:35:44
New York, US (PANA) - The United Nations political affairs chief on Monday stressed that West Africa could be a [...] Full text...

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Gambia : UN envoy commends Gambians for political maturity, peace

28 january 2017 - 16:43:06
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Mohamed Ibn Chambas, UN envoy for West Africa on Saturday commended Gambians for their political maturity [...] Full text...

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Gambia: Gambia president-elect Adama Barrow to be inaugurated in Dakar

19 january 2017 - 10:29:00
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Adama Barrow, the president-elect of Gambia, says he will be inaugurated at the Gambian Embassy in [...] Full text...

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Gambia: Gambian MPs extend term of Jammeh, National Assembly

18 january 2017 - 12:56:09
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - Lawmakers in the Gambia on Tuesday endorsed a resolution that extends the term of office of [...] Full text...

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US: US again asks Gambian president Jammeh to hand over peacefully

18 january 2017 - 06:54:19
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US has again asked Gambian President Yahaya Jammeh to peacefully hand over to president-elect [...] Full text...

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Nigeria: ECOWAS Defence Chiefs consider military option over Gambian crisis

15 january 2017 - 12:51:46
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) – The Nigerian Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, on Saturday hosted his fellow Chiefs of [...] Full text...

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UN: UN 'saddened' by Gambian political crisis - Chambas

14 january 2017 - 06:21:20
New York, US (PANA) - The head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Dr. Mohamed [...] Full text...

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UN: UN chief urges Jammeh to respect presidential election outcome

11 december 2016 - 16:34:48
New York, US (PANA) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the outgoing Gambian President Yahya Jammeh for rejecting the [...] Full text...

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US: Security Council asks Gambian leader Jammeh to peacefully hand over

10 december 2016 - 21:37:10
New York, US (PANA) - Strongly condemning the outgoing Gambian President's rejection of the official election results proclaimed by the [...] Full text...

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US: UN Security Council calls for increased military cooperation to fight Boko Haram

29 july 2016 - 05:40:20
New York, US (PANA) – While welcoming recent political developments recently observed in West Africa, the United Nations Security Council [...] Full text...

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Niger: Mohamed Ibn Chambas wants Nigeriens to maintain social peace

23 march 2016 - 13:19:24
Niamey, Niger (PANA) – The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, Mohamed Ibn Chambas, on Wednesday appealed to Nigeriens [...] Full text...

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