Politics

Burkina Faso against French ‘imperialist’ policies, not French people— Junta leader, Traore

Published

3 months ago

September 7, 2023

Amid a growing anti-French campaign in the West African subregion, Burkina Faso’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traore has reiterated that his country is not an “enemy” of the “French people.”

Traore, who is the youngest Head of State in the continent, said in an interview on Wednesday evening that Burkina Faso’s diplomatic row with France was not personal but as a result of continued imperialist approaches of French leaders.

“We are not enemies with the French people, it is the policy of those who run France which poses a problem in Africa, so as long as a State is not in an imperialist spirit (…) there is no problem,” he said.

“We must agree to look at each other as equals” and “we must agree to review all of our cooperation,” he added. Without naming it, he criticized France for having “given independence” and “placed people” at “the head of certain states”.

Meanwhile, as its relationship with France declines, the West African country has continued to deepen relations with Russia. Last week in Ouagadougou, a Russian group spoke with Mr. Traoré about military and development issues, and Captain Traoré visited Saint Petersburg in July for the Russia-Africa summit.

In a similar move on Monday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivia Rouamba, remarked on Burkina Faso’s interest to “strengthen bilateral cooperation” with Iran, during an interview in Tehran with President Ebrahim Raïssi.

The military leader also reaffirmed his country’s support for the Nigerien junta which ousted Mohamed Bazoum through a coup in July, further strengthening the so-called “three borders” area between Mali, Niger, and Burkina, which are all confronted with jihadist groups.

Similar anti-France postures have been observed with allies— Mali and Guinea.

Related Topics:Burkina Faso Featured France

Click to comment

Politics

Morocco joins PPCA to phase out coal

Published

1 day ago

December 9, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Morocco has joined an international campaign to phase out coal, Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), an effort to secure renewable energies in the next seven years.

With Morocco, PPCA has 60 national governments united by the desire to make a clean break with coal-fired power generation.

The United States, the United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Iceland, Kosovo, Malta, and Norway joined the global initiative earlier at the COP 28 climate summit, according to a statement from PPCA.

Without providing a timeline, the PPCA stated that Morocco “will work together with the PPCA to develop a plan for phasing (coal) out.”

Africa bears the least responsibility for climate change, yet it is already experiencing more severe effects than most other regions of the world.

The continent has the lowest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita of any region, contributing less than 3% of global energy-related CO2 emissions to date. Africa is home to nearly one-fifth of the world’s current population.

According to official figures, about 70% of Morocco’s electricity is generated from coal, with 20% coming from renewable sources thus far this year. By 2030, Morocco wants to increase the proportion of renewable energy in its energy mix to over 52%.

Politics

Seychelles declares emergency following explosion, flooding

Published

3 days ago

December 7, 2023

Ifeoluwa Dada

Officials in the Seychelles have confirmed that a blast at an explosives store wrecked buildings and caused massive damage to an industrial zone.

The explosion has prompted the president, Wavel Ramkalawan, to declare a state of emergency on Thursday.

The president called for a minute of silence on Thursday after telling reporters that the blast rocked the island and caused flooding due to heavy rains. Three people died as a result.

National television footage showed streets strewn with uprooted trees buried in deep mud and covered in debris.

“Following an explosion at the CCCL explosives store that has caused massive damage to the Providence Industrial area and the surrounding areas and major destruction caused by flooding due to heavy rains, the President has declared a state of emergency for today, December 7th,” President Wavel Ramkalawan’s office said in a statement.

“Everyone is being asked to stay at home. All schools will be closed. Only workers in the essential services and persons travelling will be allowed free movement.”

Tourists can still use the international airport and the ferries that travel between the islands, according to the government’s official social media.

Comprising 115 islands, the Seychelles is the least populous country in Africa, home to only 100,000 people.