- At least 2,700 Senegalese youths are waiting to grab work permits in Spain. This followed the sealing of an agreement by governments of both countries.
Signed by the Senegalese Interior Minister [Ousman Ngom] and the Spanish Labour Minister [Jesus Caldera] in the Senegalese capital Dakar last week, the deal seeks to discourage the illegal and perilous sea migration to enter Spain’s Canary Islands.
Under the agreement, 2,000 youths will undergo Spanish funded training in Senegal before they get employed by Spanish fishing boats next year. The rest of the youths will be fitted in agricultural farming.
Thousands of West African youths, particularly Senegalese have perished at sea in a journey of no return. The youths embark on the journey in search of greener pastures.
Despite the risks involved and strict patrol and border controls by both Spain and some African countries, the practice still exists. Just last week, 58 Gambian youths set for the sea journey drowned after their wooden patchy boat was engulfed in a fire.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.