Photo : Filippo Attili, Palazzo Chigi press office via AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Filippo Attili, Palazzo Chigi press office via AFP
IN BRIEF
Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Algeria: To boost renewable energy sources
On 14 March, Algeria, a major oil and gas exporter, signed contracts with local and international companies in a bid to develop two solar energy projects with a capacity of 3,000 MW. The country aims to reach a renewable energy capacity of 15,000 MW by 2035 by producing 27 per cent of its energy requirements from wind, solar and hydro. The major objective is to reduce reliance on oil and gas. Currently, only three per cent of the country’s energy production depends on renewable sources. (“Algeria to boost energy production with new solar plants,” BBC, 14 March 2024)
Nigeria: Eases sanctions on Niger
On 14 March, President Bola Tinubu announced the ease of sanctions on Niger which were imposed eight months before. He urged the immediate opening of borders, restarting of commercial flights and the supply of electricity. Niger suffered hard from the economic sanctions. In January, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger announced its withdrawal from the West African bloc, ECOWAS, due to the imposed sanctions. (“Nigeria lifts sanctions on Niger and reopens borders,” BBC, 14 March 2024)
Sudan: Darfur women are the rape victims, reports Guardian
On 14 March, the BBC quoted a report by UK's Guardian that Darfur women are rape victims. According to the report, in Geneina, women are sexually exploited by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The most targeted victims are the women of the Masalit community. They identify the perpetrators as dark-skinned ethnic African tribes alleged to be Arab fighters. The war, which is nearly a year, has caused large humanitarian crises and the world's largest displacement crisis. (“Darfur women allege being victims of targeted rape - report,” BBC, 14 March)