UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged late on Saturday quick implementation of a West African accord requiring a military junta in Mali to step down and hand over power to lawful authorities.

The ju

Mali's two-week-old junta agreed on Friday to hand over rule to civilians in return for the end of sanctions by worried neighbors who had threatened to strangle the economy of the West African country

India has provided subsidised loans to businesses in West Africa through the economic community of West African States (Ecowas), says a top official of the 15-member regional grouping that is keen on joint investments in pharmaceuticals, technology and agriculture.