NIAMEY, NIGER – The Burkinabè Minister in charge of Energy, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, participated in a significant meeting on Saturday in Niamey, focusing on energy and hydrocarbons, alongside counterparts from Niger, Mali, Togo, and Chad. This “exceptional” meeting, as highlighted by the participants, underscores a collective effort towards addressing crucial energy challenges within the region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the session was convened under the chairmanship of the Nigerien Prime Minister, Lamine Zeine Ali Mahaman, and primarily deliberated on the critical issue of diesel supply to Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, and Chad. Prime Minister Lamine Zeine accentuated the extraordinary nature of the meeting, emphasizing its importance in the broader context of regional integration and cooperation among the Sahel states.
The discussions were framed within the aspirations for deeper integration, as articulated by the construction of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Prime Minister Lamine Zeine expressed strong support for initiatives that align with this vision, urging for immediate, concrete actions that could convincingly demonstrate the benefits of cooperation to the populations of the participating countries.
Mahaman Moustapha Barké Bako, the Nigerien Minister of Oil, Mines, and Energy, provided insights into the ongoing diesel supply experiment involving the five countries. He outlined the meeting’s objective to address and resolve the encountered challenges to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of these exchanges. Minister Barké Bako highlighted the meeting’s significance in fostering south-south cooperation and promoting better transparency and decision-making in managing energy resources.
Further, the ministers discussed the “Desert to Power” initiative by the African Development Bank (AfDB), which involves ambitious projects such as constructing photovoltaic solar power plants and solar mini-grids across several Sahel countries. The initiative also aims to extend and strengthen the electricity transmission network in the Sahel, improve the efficiency and governance of national electricity companies, and attract private investment in the sector.
The meeting was deemed a historic opportunity for these nations to pool resources to fundamentally transform the energy landscape in the Sahel region. The emphasis was on adopting innovative solutions to overcome the persistent energy challenges and ensure sustainable development for the participating countries.
NOUAKCHOTT, MAURITANIA – Mauritania has officially taken on the presidency of the African Union, a significant leadership role within the continental organization. This transition was confirmed by the Comoros President Azali Assoumani, who previously held the chair of the AU.
According to Burkina Information Agency, during the 37th summit of the African Union, he announced that the Mauritanian President, Mohammed Ould Ghazouani, is the new president of the union. This announcement comes after Mauritania had initially hesitated to accept the presidency, citing the upcoming presidential election in June as a concern. However, President Ghazouani ultimately accepted the role, marking a new chapter for Mauritania in its engagement with the African Union.