Top of the Morning: “Power Africa” Breaks Ground

Top stories from DAWNS Digest

Obama’s Power Africa Initiative Set to Break Ground

It’s a $21 billion project, of which the US government is contributing $7 billion in grants and loan guarantees. This is Obama’s signature African development initiative. “This spring, construction is set to begin on the first projects coordinated through Power Africa, a multibillion-dollar Obama administration initiative that seeks to double access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa within five years, and in some cases accelerate reforms in the governments of the nations involved. Among the initial projects are wind farms in Kenya and Tanzania, and a solar project in Tanzania.” (IEEE http://bit.ly/1crPpoM)

Security Council To Meet on CAR Crisis

The meeting comes as the worsening security situation prevented the top UN humanitarian official from traveling to parts of the country. No outcome is expected from this meeting, but it will provide the UNSC the chance to hear directly about the deepening crisis. “UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chergui, will brief the Council on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR). This will be followed by an interactive dialogue session between Council members and Chergui. On Friday (21 February) Council members will meet in consultations to have a further discussion on the CAR with members of the Department of Political Affairs.” (Security Council Report http://bit.ly/1crQpt3)