OCHA Situation Report
West Africa
Report May 2007
17 May 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

SIGNIFICANT FACTS

- Food and nutrition situation of concern in some areas of Burkina Faso,
Niger, Mauritania, Togo and the Gambia

- Meningitis: more than 33,000 cases reported in 12 African countries
since the beginning of the year

- Cholera in Senegal and Guinea

- Case of avian influenza confirmed in Ghana

- Degradation of security in northern Niger, northern Mali

- Storage conditions of explosive devices disturbing in Guinea Bissau


1 - SOCIO-POLITICAL AND SECURITY SITUATION

Guinea: soldiers demand the payment of their salary arrears

In the first half of May, soldiers demonstrated in barracks to demand
the payment of their salary arrears, the upgrading of some of them and
the departure of some high ranking officers of the army accused of
corruption. President Conte has already satisfied one of the soldiers'
demands by dismissing, on 12 May, the Defence Minister and top officers
of the army. Despite these measures, however, demonstrations were held
on the night of 12 to13 May. During these demonstrations, men in
military uniform(1) were engaged in the looting of shops and stores, one
of which belonged to UNFPA. UNFPA stores contained stocks of drugs and
preservatives, computer equipment and motorcycles.

It is worth recalling that during the crisis from January to February,
the WFP food reserves were ransacked in Kankan and Labe. A meeting
between President Conte and the protesting soldiers is scheduled for 15
May.

Cote d'Ivoire: dismantling the confidence belt

Within the framework of the implementation of the Ougadougou Agreement,
two significant events took place in Cote d'Ivoire, on 16 April, namely:
the dismantling of the confidence belt and the installation of the
Integrated Command Centre (ICC).

The ICC's mission consists in preparing a defence and security policy,
implementing the National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration,
ensuring the security of open roads hearings and supervising the
electoral process. The ICC should also coordinate measures relative to
the free movement of persons and goods.

Niger: Mounting insecurity in the north

The security situation is worrying in Northern Niger. During the month
of April, elements of the National Movement for Justice (MNJ comprising
former Tuareg rebels) clashed with the Government army in the Air
mountains. The number of victims was not announced. However, according
to the press, vehicles of the Niger army were said to have exploded on
mines, killing 10 people between 14 and April 2007. The Movement of
Nigeriens for Justice claims most of the resources linked to the
exploitation of the uranium and charcoal mines for the populations of
the Agadez region, among other things.

Notes:

(1) Media source

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