Senegalese President Macky Sall showed, on Sunday May 22, his country’s desire to supply Europe with gas, while the energy crisis is gaining more and more momentum throughout the world, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
« We are ready, Senegal in any case, to work with a view to supplying the European market with LNG » (liquefied natural gas), he declared during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Olaf. Scholz, visiting Dakar.
The two officials announced the “intensive” discussions between their two countries, which should allow Germany to participate in projects around gas resources in Senegal. Germany, like other European countries, is trying to diversify its energy supply sources to reduce its dependence on Russian gas.
To be able to export gas to Europe in the near future, Senegal is counting on the future exploitation, with Mauritania, of the gas and oil fields discovered in the Atlantic in recent years.
These resources, very important, can make Senegal a major gas exporting country, recognize the specialists. Macky Sall plans to start production in December 2023, at a rate of 2.5 million tonnes of LNG per year initially, and 10 million in 2030.
The Senegalese Head of State says he asked the Chancellor to support the development of these gas resources, for the production of LNG from Africa to Europe.
He also recalled his plan to visit Russia and Ukraine soon on behalf of the African Union (AU) of which he currently holds the presidency. Alongside the request to create the conditions to allow Africa to import seeds and fertilizers, there is also a question of working for peace between the two countries, through dialogue.
“We don’t want to be aligned with this conflict, very clearly, we want peace. Even if we condemn the (Russian) invasion, we are working for a de-escalation, we are working for a ceasefire, for dialogue (…) this is the African position”, declared the AU chairman.
Macky Sall also expressed to Olaf Scholz the serious concerns of Africa about the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the countries of the continent, the generalized surge in prices and shortages. « I plead for our multilateral and bilateral partners to accompany us, » he said.
By OMA Newsletter N° 712 of 05/23/2022
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
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Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
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