Tanzania: African Development Fund approves $116 million loan to upgrade southern road corridor
The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund on Wednesday approved a loan of around $116 million to the Tanzanian government to upgrade a 160-km Mnivata-Newala-Masasi road corridor in the southern part of the country.
The Bank’s loan represents 98.71% of the project cost; the government of Tanzania will provide the remaining 1.29% in funding.
The project will upgrade the roadway, including the 84-meter Mwiti bridge, to bituminous standard. The works also have social components, including the provision of potable water, education and medical infrastructure, the establishment of cashew nut processing units, and extension of entrepreneurial training to women and youth.
Yemen : Statement by the Spokesperson on the latest group execution by the Houthis
The European Union condemns the execution on 18 September of nine persons, possibly including a minor, by Ansar Allah in Sana’a. There are also reports of irregularities in the judicial process, and allegations of mistreatment.
The European Union strongly opposes the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent to crime and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.
Mali : Rencontre du Haut représentant Borrell avec le Ministre des Affaires étrangères du Gouvernement de la Transition Abdoulaye Diop
Le Haut représentant de l’Union européenne pour les affaires étrangères et la politique de sécurité / Vice-président de la Commission européenne Josep Borrell s’est entretenu jeudi avec le Ministre des Affaires étrangères du Gouvernement de la Transition du Mali Abdoulaye Diop à New-York, en marge de l’Assemblée générale des Nations Unies.
Au cours de cet échange, le Haut représentant/Vice-président a relayé les vives préoccupations de l’Union européenne face à la dégradation continue du contexte politique, social, humanitaire et sécuritaire du Mali.
African Development Bank’s SEFA provides $1 million to kick off modernization of Africa’s Hydropower Fleet
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) has approved a $1 million grant for modernization of Africa’s aging hydropower fleet.
The grant will fund the mapping and evaluation of African hydropower facilities’ rehabilitation needs. It will also support the preparation of modernization works for two pilot facilities to a bankable stage, a move expected to add 200 MW in generation capacity, create 150 jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 300 kilotons of CO2 annually. The modernization of hydropower stations is an opportunity to increase generation capacity at low-cost, and with relatively short lead-times and minimal environmental impact.
Somalia: Statement by the High Representative Josep Borrell on the political situation
The EU calls on President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed and Prime Minister Roble to bring to an end the current political stand-off. The electoral process must continue to move forward peacefully, in line with the previously agreed timetable of 27 May. This is key for the wellbeing of the Somali population.
Kenya: Speech on behalf of the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP debate
Speech delivered by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson
Ms President, Honourable Members,
Thank you for this debate that I take on behalf of the High Representative/Vice-President [Josep] Borrell.
Kenya is a key partner of the European Union and a pillar of stability in a troubled East Africa. President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President [of Kenya, Uhuru] Kenyatta have decided in June 2021 to further deepen the European Union-Kenya relations by launching a strategic dialogue on issues and agendas of common interest.
The European Union and Kenya share common values and principles, and the European Union recognises and appreciates Kenya’s long history of hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees and providing protection to those fleeing persecution, conflict and other forms of insecurity.
African Development Bank approves a $50 million Multinational Trade Finance Risk Participation Agreement facility for Standard Chartered Bank
The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group has approved a $50 million Trade Finance Unfunded Risk Participation Agreement (RPA) facility between the African Development Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. The agreement is expected to boost intra-Africa trade, promote regional integration, and contribute to the reduction of the trade finance gap in Africa, in line with implementation aspirations of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Team Europe: €34 billion disbursed so far to tackle COVID-19 in partner countries
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020, the EU, EU Member States and European financial institutions, as Team Europe, have disbursed €34 billion in support to partner countries in addressing the pandemic and its consequences, delivering on its promises with concrete results. This disbursement already exceeds by far the initial €20 billion Team Europe support package pledged in spring 2020, which has now increased to €46 billion.
African Development Bank, partners unveil initiative to secure climate-resilient water and sanitation services in five drought-prone countries
The African Development Bank, in partnership with the Nordic Development Fund and the Government of Denmark will roll-out a program to strengthen access to climate-resilient water and sanitation resources in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger and Somalia. The initiative is expected to strengthen recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new initiative will enhance the sustainability of water systems through the construction or upgrade of existing infrastructure. The program will also support feasibility studies to prepare bankable projects that contribute to increased financing for water, sanitation and hygiene services, improving human health, child education and economic productivity.
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the alignment of certain countries concerning restrictive measures directed against certain persons, entities and bodies threatening the peace, security or stability of the Republic
On 5 August 2021, the Council adopted Decision 2021/13061.
The Council Decision amends the list of persons subject to restrictive measures as set out in Annexes II and III to Decision 2012/285/CFSP by removing two persons.
The Candidate Countries Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania2, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine align themselves with this Council Decision.