Africa, especially the former French West Africa where Vega's business is strongest, has a heritage of staterun economies and socialist politics.

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To work this abundant crop, slaves were imported from French possessions in West Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar.

BBC: Blending of cultures in Mauritius

It has stable politics, strong capital markets and can be a base for investments in West and French speaking Africa.

FORBES: Names You Need To Know In 2011: Ghana

"There is a great danger of terrorism in a big part of west Africa, including as far as Cameroon, " said Hollande, calling on French nationals to exercise caution in West Africa.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The government is to deploy about 330 military personnel to Mali and West Africa to support French forces.

BBC: Jeremy Corbyn

The UK is to deploy about 330 military personnel to Mali and West Africa to support French forces, No 10 has said.

BBC: Mali crisis: 330 UK military personnel sent to West Africa

The new funding will support HIV and AIDS prevention in 14 French-speaking countries in West and Central Africa, namely Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

UNESCO: Regional workshop for UNESCO staff working in HIV and AIDS in Central and West Africa | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

Quoting diplomatic and military sources, BBC West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy said French troops would take part in the second phase of the Mali operation, namely driving Islamists out of the main towns they occupied.

BBC: Mali conflict: West African troops to arrive 'in days'

The BBC's West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy says the French offensive, called "Operation Gustav", is intended to clear the Gao region of any militants still hiding there and to prevent further attacks on the city.

BBC: Mali crisis: France in big offensive against Islamists