DAKAR, 13 Feb 2006 (IRIN) - Cape Verde’s incumbent President Pedro Pires on Monday claimed victory in his campaign to win re-election as head of state of the cluster of 10 islands and five islets off the West African coast that are home to less than half a million people. Full report

PRAIA, 15 Oct 2004 (IRIN) - Morocco has sent two crop-spraying aircraft and 10,000 litres of pesticide to boost locust control efforts in the arid Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa. Full report

PRAIA, 24 Nov 2003 (IRIN) - The government of Cape Verde has been embarassed by a new report from National Institute of Statistics (INE), which shows that poverty is increasing in this island state of the coast of West Africa, despite strong economic growth in recent years. Full report

ACHADA FURNA, FOGO ISLAND, 30 Oct 2003 (IRIN) - The primary school at Achada Furna lies high up in the hills of the Cape Verde island of Fogo. Local families live mainly off agriculture, selling vegetables, livestock and cheese. If there is a surplus, farmers may give it to the school, making their own contribution to a long-running meals-for-school children programme run by the UN World Food Programme (WFP). Full report

SAO FELIPE, FOGO ISLAND, 29 Oct 2003 (IRIN) - At close to 3,000 metres, the Pico do Fogo volcano is by far the most imposing landmark in the arid Cape Verde Islands off the coast of West Africa. The village of Cha das Caldeiras, within its vast crater boasts several vineyards, a wine cooperative and a French-owned restaurant. Full report

ABIDJAN, 15 May 2003 (IRIN) - The World Bank on Wednesday approved a US $11.5 million loan for Cape Verde to develop the private sector of the economy in the arid island state and make it more competitive. Full report

ABIDJAN, 12 May 2003 (IRIN) - Two United Nations agencies launched on Friday a two-year volunteer project in the Cape Verde islands, to curb high youth unemployment and tackle land degradation, the UN reported. Full report

ABIDJAN, 28 Jan 2003 (IRIN) - The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Tuesday launched an appeal for US $28 million to provide emergency relief food to feed thousands of people threatened by starvation in five Western Sahel countries. Full report

ABIDJAN, 27 Dec 2002 (IRIN) - Cereal production in West Africa's Sahelian belt is expected to be three percent less in 2002-2003 than in the previous agricultural season, USAID's Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS Net) said in its latest monthly food security update, issued on 23 December. Full report

ABIDJAN, 18 Sep 2002 (IRIN) - The African Development Fund on Wednesday approved a US $7.91 million loan to the island nation of Cape Verde to finance an environment and food security project. Full report

CAPE VERDE: Atlantic survivors want more of the world

WEST AFRICA: IRIN Focus on food security in the Sahelian countries //Yearender//