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Solar-powered generators bring light to rural communities in Senegal

Solar-powered generators bring light to rural communities in Senegal
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Senegalese students and their teacher have transformed a solar-powered car project into what they now call a "Gazelle Village.” It’s a network of solar-powered generators designed to bring light and energy to small, rural communities. Reporters Allison Fernandes and Moustapha Dine have the story from the capital, Dakar.

Senegal's PM questions France military presence on several bases

FILE — Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivers a speech during a conference at the Cheikh Anta Diop university in Dakar, on May 16, 2024.
FILE — Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko delivers a speech during a conference at the Cheikh Anta Diop university in Dakar, on May 16, 2024.

DAKAR, SENEGAL — Senegal’s Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko on Thursday questioned the military presence of former colonial ruler France, which has several bases in the West African nation, saying it impinged on Dakar's sovereignty.

Addressing students at Dakar University on Thursday, Sonko also slammed French President Emmanuel Macron for turning a blind eye to political "persecution" in Senegal.

Sonko, a firebrand former opposition leader, was at the center of a three-year stand-off with the government of former president Macky Sall that triggered bouts of deadly unrest.

The prime minister was among a group of opposition politicians freed from prison 10 days before the March 24 presidential ballot under an amnesty announced by Sall, who had tried to delay the vote.

While speaking to the students Sonko said, "cooperation must take into account Senegal’s sovereignty in both the monetary and security fields."

"We must ask ourselves the reasons why the French army still has many military bases in our country and their impact on our sovereignty and our strategic autonomy," Sonko said.

"I reiterate Senegal's wish to determine its course which is incompatible with the entrenched presence of foreign military bases," the prime minister added.

Sonko, who said he was addressing the students as the head of his party and not as prime minister, stressed he sought cooperation with other countries "based on mutual respect and the legitimate aspirations of every nation for sovereignty."

He said Macron's government had failed to denounce Sall's crackdown on opposition protests and dissent which led to dozens of deaths and hundreds of arrests.

Macron had received and "congratulated" Sall at "the worst phase of the repression," Sonko said, adding, "this is an incitement to repression, an incitement to persecution."

Lake Malawi’s rising water level engulfs communities, resorts 

Lake Malawi’s rising water level engulfs communities, resorts 
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Malawi is grappling with an unprecedented rise in the water level of its largest body of water, Lake Malawi. Authorities say nearly 90% of the beach area has been submerged, damaging property and crops. Lameck Masina reports from Mangochi.

IMF says Niger and Senegal are among sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing economies

IMF says Niger and Senegal are among sub-Saharan Africa’s fastest-growing economies
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Senior European diplomat pledges to help Senegal tackle migration

Senior European diplomat pledges to help Senegal tackle migration
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Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, on Monday started his week-long tour of West Africa in Senegal where he met the nation’s newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. The European Union official said the regional bloc would help Dakar better tackle the mitigating factors that lead to migration, among them improved living conditions. Reuters’ David Doyle has more in this report.

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