Latest news with #BurkinaFaso
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
U.S. Africa commander highlights terror growth in Sahel and competition with China for influence
A top United States military general warned Thursday that terror groups in Africa are ramping up their ability to conduct attacks in the U.S. Gen. Michael Langley, the four-star Marine General who leads U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), said the Sahel region of the continent is now the "flashpoint of prolonged conflict and growing instability. It is the epicenter of terrorism on the globe." Several terror groups have expanded drastically in the last three years. Al-Qaeda in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, is three times the size it was in 2022, he said, and has spread across Mali, Burkina Faso, and parts of Niger, which the U.S. military pulled out of last year. Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin, a faction affiliated with Al-Qaeda, is now four times the size it was in 2022, expanding mainly in Burkina Faso. "We're keeping a good eye on this because they could have the capacity to attack the homeland," Langley said in a call with reporters. "Throughout my travels across West Africa and through dialog here at the conference, the concerns shared by my peers match my own," he added. "One of the terrorist's key goals now is access to the west coast of Africa. If they gain access to the vast coastline, they can diversify their revenue streams and evolve their tactics, more easily exporting terrorism to American shores." He noted that the terror groups engage in illicit activity like smuggling, human trafficking and arms trading, which fund their nefarious actions and destabilize the region. U.S. forces over the weekend conducted an airstrike against the al Qaeda-linked al-Shabab in Somalia. The East African country has been wracked for decades by attacks and insurgency from Islamist terrorists, both from ISIS and al-Shabab. The U.S. is in a race with China and Russia to gain influence and trust with the local governments of several African nations to help protect citizens from terror groups. Langley said there is an increasing concern about the number of African soldiers going to Beijing for military training and replicating a U.S. International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. "They're trying to replicate what we do best in our IMET program," said Langley. "And then they also said they're going to increase security and training in a number of countries. So, they're trying to replicate what we do."
Bloomberg
2 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Burkina Faso Sees Restart of Gold Mines Boosting Output in 2025
Burkina Faso is poised to increase its industrial gold mining this year as a project by Mauritius's Soleil Resources International Ltd. rises to full production and a new mine by Australia's West African Resources Ltd. starts output later this year. Production by the country's large scale operations will increase by 4% to 55.7 tons this year, Aristide Belemsobgo, director general of mines and geology at the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries said in an interview.
Arab News
3 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Extremist violence and coups test West Africa ECOWAS bloc at 50
LAGOS: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) faces growing threats of terrorism, climate change, military coups, and poverty, its most senior official said on Wednesday as leaders marked 50 years since the bloc's formation in Nigeria. Extremist violence has surged this year in Nigeria and the Sahel region, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger — nations that have recently seceded from ECOWAS in protest over sanctions following military coups. 'We are confronting the greatest challenges we face today, terrorism, climate change and unconstitutional change of government, poverty and economic disparities,' ECOWAS Commission President Omar Alieu Touray said, expressing confidence in overcoming the challenges. Established on May 28, 1975, ECOWAS aimed to promote regional economic integration, security cooperation, human rights, and democratic governance. However, five decades later, military juntas in founding member states Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger have disassociated from the bloc, saying it no longer serves their interests. The countries have formed their own Alliance of Sahel States and a confederation, cut military and diplomatic ties with Western powers and sought closer cooperation with Russia. Touray said ECOWAS would continue trying to cooperate with the three countries. Security and political analysts said curbing insecurity was crucial for ECOWAS to fulfill its promise of prosperity and lift millions from poverty. Beverly Ochieng, senior analyst at Control Risk in Dakar, Senegal, said: 'If you don't have security, then of course it means that you cannot guarantee a robust economy in the region.' Analysts also criticized ECOWAS for its silence when leaders controversially amend constitutions to extend their rule, leading to citizens applauding military coups. They cited the recent example of Togo's leader Faure Gnassingbe, who was granted the influential new role of President of the Council of Ministers with no fixed term limit — a move opposition parties labelled a constitutional coup potentially extending his rule indefinitely.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Burkina Faso's Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries to speak at AEW 2025 amid energy diversification
CAPE TOWN, South Africa/ -- Burkina Faso's Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries Yacouba Zabré Gouba has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference - taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – as a speaker. Minister Gouba's participation comes at a pivotal time for the country's energy sector as it looks to diversify its energy mix and unlock significant investment opportunities in the fields of natural gas, renewables and nuclear energy. Burkina Faso has set a number of ambitious reforms and initiatives to diversify and expand its energy industry. In an attempt to bolster investment in both the upstream and downstream natural gas market, the country aims to increase LPG usage beyond its current levels of 35% in urban areas. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso also aims to attract foreign direct investment to fuel its expanding energy infrastructure and to meet the ambitious goal of increasing the national energy access rate from 21% to 95% by 2030. Insights shared by Minister Gouba at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will support these goals by offering financiers and energy operators the chance to gain a better understanding of Burkina Faso's opportunities. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and as emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. In the renewable energy space, Burkina Faso is advancing several solar energy projects, such as the operational Zagtouli and planned Zano solar PV plants. The country plans to add 100 MW of solar energy to its energy mix and these projects will play an instrumental part in meeting this goal. The Zano project is expected to begin commercial operation in 2025. Meanwhile, a partnership with Russian state nuclear company Rosatom for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso serves as part of the government's broader strategy to diversify the country's energy mix, enhance energy security and drive economic growth. Burkina Faso's Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries signed a deal with Rosatom in 2024 for the construction of the plant, with development set to start in 2025 and production targeted by 2030. In the power sector, the country has increased its installed capacity from 324.6 MW in 2017 to 410 MW today. In parallel, Burkina Faso is intensifying efforts to take greater advantage of its mineral resources, with a focus on gold and other critical minerals. The state-owned Société de Participation Minière du Burkina has already acquired two industrial gold mines previously held by Endeavour mining, marking a key step in developing the country's mining capabilities. By accelerating the development of both the energy and mining industries, Burkina Faso is establishing a range of investment opportunities for regional and global companies. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, these opportunities will come to the fore with Minister Gouba's insights. 'Burkina Faso has set bold energy targets, creating strategic opportunities for global investors and project developers. By increasing natural gas development, expanding power generation and introducing nuclear power into the energy mix, the country seeks to establish a strong, competitive and diversified energy mix,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber. SOURCE: African Energy Chamber
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Burkina Faso's Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 Amid Energy Diversification
Burkina Faso's Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries Yacouba Zabré Gouba has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025 conference - taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town – as a speaker. Minister Gouba's participation comes at a pivotal time for the country's energy sector as it looks to diversify its energy mix and unlock significant investment opportunities in the fields of natural gas, renewables and nuclear energy. Burkina Faso has set a number of ambitious reforms and initiatives to diversify and expand its energy industry. In an attempt to bolster investment in both the upstream and downstream natural gas market, the country aims to increase LPG usage beyond its current levels of 35% in urban areas. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso also aims to attract foreign direct investment to fuel its expanding energy infrastructure and to meet the ambitious goal of increasing the national energy access rate from 21% to 95% by 2030. Insights shared by Minister Gouba at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 will support these goals by offering financiers and energy operators the chance to gain a better understanding of Burkina Faso's opportunities. AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and as emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit for more information about this exciting event. In the renewable energy space, Burkina Faso is advancing several solar energy projects, such as the operational Zagtouli and planned Zano solar PV plants. The country plans to add 100 MW of solar energy to its energy mix and these projects will play an instrumental part in meeting this goal. The Zano project is expected to begin commercial operation in 2025. Meanwhile, a partnership with Russian state nuclear company Rosatom for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso serves as part of the government's broader strategy to diversify the country's energy mix, enhance energy security and drive economic growth. Burkina Faso's Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries signed a deal with Rosatom in 2024 for the construction of the plant, with development set to start in 2025 and production targeted by 2030. In the power sector, the country has increased its installed capacity from 324.6 MW in 2017 to 410 MW today. In parallel, Burkina Faso is intensifying efforts to take greater advantage of its mineral resources, with a focus on gold and other critical minerals. The state-owned Société de Participation Minière du Burkina has already acquired two industrial gold mines previously held by Endeavour mining, marking a key step in developing the country's mining capabilities. By accelerating the development of both the energy and mining industries, Burkina Faso is establishing a range of investment opportunities for regional and global companies. At AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025, these opportunities will come to the fore with Minister Gouba's insights. 'Burkina Faso has set bold energy targets, creating strategic opportunities for global investors and project developers. By increasing natural gas development, expanding power generation and introducing nuclear power into the energy mix, the country seeks to establish a strong, competitive and diversified energy mix,' states Tomás Gerbasio, VP Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
