AFRICA

thelivyjr
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REUTERS

"Treasury's Yellen breaks ground on rural electrification project in Senegal"


By Andrea Shalal

January 21, 2023

KEUR BABACAR MBAYE, Senegal, Jan 21 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Saturday helped kick off a new rural electrification project in Senegal that will bring reliable power to 350,000 people, while supporting some 500 jobs in 14 U.S. states.

Yellen traveled to the site of the project, led by Illinois-based engineering firm Weldy Lamont, as part of a three-country trip to Africa that aims to expand U.S.-African ties and address challenges such as climate change, food security and debt.


The new project received technical assistance from the U.S. Power Africa initiative, capacity building through the U.S. Agency for Trade and Development, and a $91 million loan guarantee from the Export-Import Bank, Yellen said.

"Our goal is to further deepen our economic relationship and to invest in expanding energy access in a way that uses renewable resources spread across the continent," she said.

Senegal has among the highest rates of electrification across Sub-Saharan Africa - between 70% and 80% - but access to electricity remains far more limited in rural areas.

Such disparities can hinder opportunity for households and businesses in areas otherwise ripe for economic development, Yellen said.

The project includes an important renewable energy element with a solar grid to power 70 villages.

"This groundbreaking will create a higher quality of life in many communities, and it will help Senegal’s economy grow and prosper."

"It will also help Senegal get one step closer to its goal of universal electricity access by 2025," she said.

Yellen, who met women and youth entrepreneurs in Dakar on Friday, said the electrification project would allow Senegal to rely on energy sources that are within its borders, cost effective and not prone to the kind of volatility in energy prices sparked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

She said the U.S. Power Africa project has helped connect 165 million people to reliable electricity across Africa.

Its goal is to add at least 30,000 megawatts (MW) of cleaner and more reliable electricity generation capacity and 60 million new home and business connections by 2030.

Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Toby Chopra

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/tr ... 023-01-21/
thelivyjr
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Re: AFRICA

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The UBJ

"U.S. Deliberates Next Steps as Niger Orders Withdrawal from Crucial Antiterrorism Hub"


Story by Ella Bennet

19 MARCH 2024

Amidst a recent directive from Niger’s military junta for U.S. forces to vacate a vital antiterrorism base in the country, the Pentagon is actively engaging with Nigerien authorities to find a solution that would allow American troops to maintain their presence in the region.

This base is pivotal for operations against sub-Saharan terrorist threats.


A team consisting of senior U.S. officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Molly Phee, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander, and the commander of U.S. Africa Command Gen. Michael Langley, traveled to Niger for discussions with the junta.

Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh reported that the talks addressed, among other issues, the junta’s potential alliances with nations like Russia and Iran.

“We were troubled on the path that Niger is on,” noted Singh.

After the meetings concluded, the junta’s spokesperson, Col. Maj. Amadou Abdramane, condemned recent U.S. overflights as unauthorized, and local activist Insa Garba Saidou, who advises the junta on communications, stated firmly that the U.S. military presence was no longer acceptable on Nigerien soil.

In the wake of these developments, Singh said that the U.S. is actively working through diplomatic channels to seek clarification after the March 16 announcement terminating the status of forces agreement with the United States.

“These are ongoing discussions and we don’t have more to share at this time,” Singh added.

Since a coup in July, where mutinous soldiers deposed the democratically elected president of Niger, the junta has moved to reimagine Niger’s foreign military partnerships, including soliciting the exit of French forces.

The U.S. currently has approximately 1,000 personnel, including 650 troops, civilians, and contractors, mainly stationed at a base other than the one near Niamey, the capital city.

The base in Niger is a linchpin for American counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, facilitating both manned and drone surveillance operations, which are now focused on force protection.

The U.S. also assists local ground forces, though the level of direct mission support has been minimized following an incident in 2017 where U.S. troops suffered fatalities during a joint operation in Niger.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is the U.S. base in Niger important?


The base is critical for counterterrorism operations, acting as a launch point for surveillance and missions targeting terrorist activities in the Sahel region.

How many U.S. personnel are currently stationed in Niger?

There are roughly 1,000 U.S. personnel including military troops, civilians, and contractors currently in Niger.

What sparked the junta’s directive for U.S. forces to leave the base?

This action followed discussions regarding the U.S.’s concerns about Niger fostering ties with Russia and Iran, and unauthorized American overflights according to the junta’s spokesperson.

What diplomatic actions is the U.S. taking in response to the order?

The U.S. is seeking to clarify the situation through diplomatic channels but has not provided further details on the discussions that are ongoing.

Conclusion

The situation in Niger presents a significant challenge for U.S. strategic interests in Africa, particularly related to counterterrorism efforts.

As negotiations continue, the U.S. must navigate complex diplomatic terrain to ensure the security of the region while respecting the sovereignty and expectations of the Nigerien government.

The outcome of these talks will likely influence the scope of U.S. military engagement in the Sahel and broader sub-Saharan Africa moving forward.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/u- ... 64b5&ei=78
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