- European Union (EU) authorities will soon be able to make a first payment to Mauritania's military rulers in a four-year fishing deal, ending one month of delay and risk of agreement's collapse, EU officials said this week.
EU ministers struck deal with Mauritania in July, bloc's single largest such fishing agreement, committing to pay US$123.4 million by 31 August for right to fish in Mauritania's waters in year one.
But in early August, country had a military coup that deposed first democratically elected president. As yet, EU had not paid its first tranche of cash, saying it needs to be sure Mauritania's new rulers will abide by deal struck by previous government.
Fees vary from 70 to 76 million for following years.
Mauritania's government recently sent a letter to European Commission (EC), EU's executive arm, to confirm that it would "strictly observe terms of fisheries partnership agreement which was concluded just a few days before coup", EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg told media.
Mr Borg then secured backing of EU governments for him to initiate a commission process for funds to be transferred, before a mid-October deadline when Mauritania would acquire right to cancel entire deal because of EU's non-payment.
"We have endorsement of council (of EU ministers) to pay. There will now be a legal procedure over 10 days so we are fully within deadline," commission officials said.
EU has signed more than 20 bilateral fishing deals with developing countries, mainly in Africa. Its Mauritanian catch is reportedly set at 250,000 tonnes a year of octopus, crab and crawfish, as well as sardines, anchovies and lobster.
Fishing licences are allocated to several EU countries, of which Spain is by far the most significant.
Given that commission did not make any payment before 31 August, Mauritania has right under agreement terms to suspend entire deal if no cash is received by 15 October.
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.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español