West africa News

After failing to organize an international coalition to battle Muslim extremists in Mali, France has become embroiled in its own “war on terror” as Western allies offer meager support from a safe distance and nearby West African nations stay out.

Ibadan - In some parts of the world, eating a meal with your fingers is considered vulgar or at best a concession in informal situations. In Nigeria, however, favorite dishes must be eaten with the fingers because they just don't taste right eaten with cutlery.

Lagos - Health officials say that a cholera epidemic, one of the worst in years, is sweeping through the coastal slums of West Africa. The disease is spreading through Freetown and Conakry, capital cities of Sierra Leone and Guinea.

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has vowed to never leave the land of his ancestors. If he changes his mind though and fancies trying out exile, he will receive a warm welcome from the West African republic of Guinea Bissau.

Following concerns that widespread corruption was discouraging investors, an anti-corruption body aimed at stepping up the fight against graft has been created in the uranium rich West African nation of Niger.

Thousands of refugees are fleeing violence in the politically unstable Ivory Coast in West Africa. Charity ActionAid reported more than 22,000 refugees have already crossed the border into neighbouring Liberia.

Washington - Hershey, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the U.S., is lagging behind other companies in taking steps to ensure decent working conditions in its supply chain, a report has said. The company has even been linked to child labour.

Niamey - Two of the largest humanitarian agencies, Oxfam International and Save The Children, are stating that the western region of Africa is on the brink of starvation. The aid agencies launched campaigns that appealed for $10 million just to help Niger.

Yaound - At least 45 people have been killed in a bus accident in the West African nation of Cameroon. Reports say the driver was asleep at the wheel.

Pirates have struck in the waters of the West African nation of Benin, killing a sailor. Reports say it is the first attack off Benin and experts warn of more attacks to come in West African waters.