Day: September 28, 2017

Sub-Saharan Africa is still in the dark but North Africa will soon be selling power to Europe

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Africa, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, has an electricity problem. Even though the continent’s power generating capacity has slowly improved over the years, rationing, rolling shortages, and blackouts continue to hamper many countries development—including economic giants like South Africa and Nigeria. These cutoffs stunt economic growth, hindering small and large businesses alike as well as schools and hospitals. Limited financing also encumbers power generation: African governments invest about $12 billion a year in the power sector, even though it needs an estimated $33 billion in 2015. By 2040 the African power sector will need $63 billion.…

UN Agencies, Partners Support Water Cooperation in Africa

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7 September 2017: When water becomes scarce in Sudan, pastoralists migrate along traditionally recognized routes to access water for their livestock, but increased water stress and competition with agriculture threatens longstanding cooperation arrangements. The EU is supporting pastoralists’ access to water along their seasonal migration routes, through a project funded through UN Environment. Meanwhile, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Global Water Partnership (GWP) and the Sahara and Sahel Observatory are supporting cooperation on the sharing of groundwater resources in Algeria, Libya and Tunisia, especially in relation to the…

HoR, HCS dialogue committees continue meetings in Tunisia

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The Joint Drafting Committees of the House of Representatives (HoR) and the High Council of State (HCS) held a second meeting on Wednesday at the headquarters of the United Nations Mission in Tunis. On its website, the UNSMIL stated that the two sides discussed the articles of the political agreement relating to the restructure and the powers of the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Libya, Ghassan Salame participated in the meeting. Libya Observer

Tunisia foils the departure of 555 migrants to Europe in September

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The Tunisian navy has arrested more than 550 Tunisian and African migrants trying to sail to Europe in September, nearly three times more than last month, official data showed. Human traffickers increasingly use Tunisia as a launch pad for migrants heading for Europe as Libya’s coast guard, aided by armed groups, has tightened controls. Tunisia’s navy stopped boats with migrants departing from beaches in the south and north of the country, arresting 555 people in September, the data showed. In August only 170 people had been caught trying to depart…

Five Chevening scholarships awarded to young Tunisian leaders

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The British Embassy in Tunisia announced the selection of five young Tunisians as this year’s Chevening scholars. The scholarships will allow them to pursue one-year postgraduate study in the UK from September 2017 in order to obtain a Master’s degree from a British university of their choice. Chevening scholars are distinguished by their leadership potential and their commitment to Tunisia’s development within their areas of expertise. Their study in the UK will provide them with the tools needed to make a difference in Tunisia once they return to their country.…