Shwopping in Senegal with Joanna Lumley

We have become such a throwaway society,' Joanna Lumley says as we drive through Dakar, Senegal. The capital is a rough-and-ready place, choked with cars, mopeds, wooden carts and old buses that smother passers-by in black pillows of smoke. The African sun is shining through the window, and Lumley, here as Marks & Spencer's eco and ethical ambassador, is discussing bras. 'Do you remember push-up bras?' she says. 'I don't even wear push-up bras, but I'd got push-up bras anyway. I'd also got every type of sports bra.' In fact she had an 'immense, tightly packed carrier bag full of bras' hidden in the back of her wardrobe. She also had a cache of clothes in completely the wrong colours. 'Every spring the fashion world tries to introduce you to a love affair with orange and lime green. And everyone goes, "Yay! Orange!" And no one can wear it. So we've all got orange and lime-green things which look hateful on our pale northern complexions. Would work here a treat,' she says, leaning forwards at the sight of a girl crossing the road with a basket of oranges on her head.......

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Hyatt Announces Plans for First Hyatt-Branded Hotel in Senegal: Hyatt Dak

  Hyatt Hotels Corporation  announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with Lacoste & Cie S.A. for a new Hyatt hotel in Senegal's capital city, Dakar. Hyatt Dakar will become the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Senegal, joining the previously announced Park Hyatt Marrakech and Hyatt Place Taghazout in Morocco, as well as Park Hyatt Zanzibar and Hyatt Regency Arusha in Tanzania.

"We are delighted to work with Lacoste & Cie S.A. on Hyatt Dakar, our first hotel in Senegal. The company has a depth of expertise that matches Hyatt's ambition to provide an exemplary guest experience," said Peter Norman, senior vice president, real estate and development, for Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. "Africa's hotel market remains underdeveloped, despite a growing middle class and increased inward investment in recent years which has pushed up demand for hotels. This creates significant opportunities for us and has increased Hyatt's development focus on the continent. We believe that the Hyatt brand and the hotel's excellent location in Dakar - one of West Africa's major business hubs - will have strong appeal to business and leisure travelers visiting the region."

Expected to open in 2016, Hyatt Dakar will offer 140 guestrooms, and will feature two restaurants, a guest lounge and bar, as well as meeting space and a spa. The hotel will be located in the heart of the city's business district, within walking distance of major international organizations in the city, such as UNICEF and UNESCO. Additionally, the hotel will border the popular Kermel market, which was originally built in 1860 and is known for its striking original architecture.

"We appreciate Hyatt's commitment to providing authentic hospitality to its guests, and we believe Hyatt Dakar's excellent location in the city's business district will deliver an exceptional hospitality experience to guests visiting the region," said Dr. Mahmoud Aidibe, Lacoste & Cie S.A.

There are currently six Hyatt-branded hotels in Africa, including:

-- Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort

-- Hyatt Regency Taba Heights

-- Hyatt Regency Casablanca

-- Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilamanjaro

-- Hyatt Regency Johannesburg

-- Hyatt Regency Oubaai Golf Resort and Spa

Saharan Express 2013 concludes in Senegal

DVIDS - News - Saharan Express 2013 concludes in Senegal

Courtesy Photo

Capt. Andrew Lennon, right, U.S. exercise director for Saharan Express 2013, speaks with Lewis Lukens, U.S. Ambassador to Senegal, during a post-sail press conference. Saharan Express is an international maritime security cooperation exercise designed to improve maritime safety and security in West Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian T. Glunt/Released)

DAKAR, Senegal – The multinational maritime exercise Saharan Express 2013 (SE-13) successfully concluded with post-sail discussions and a press conference, Mar. 14.

SE-13, which began Mar. 7, is a maritime exercise designed to improve cooperation among participating nations in order to increase counter-piracy capabilities and deter maritime crimes in West Africa.

“During the past week, eight West African nations, five European nations and the United States worked very well together,” said Capt. Andrew Lennon, U.S. exercise director for SE-13. “With the skills they developed during Exercise Saharan Express, the participating nations are better prepared for real world operations. They now have a better capability to stop weapons and narcotics trafficking and prevent illegal fishing.”

Focusing on counter-piracy and maritime security operations, the exercise included a wide variety of training for participating forces, including at-sea ship boarding and queries, medical familiarization, air operations, communication drills and regional information sharing.

“This marks the third time that this exercise has been conducted,” said Lewis Lukens, U.S. ambassador to Senegal. “I’m happy to say that it has become a cornerstone in our efforts to achieve the improvement of maritime security in the waters off West Africa.”

SE-13, which has occurred annually since 2011, is one of the four African regional Express-series exercises known as Africa Partnership Station (APS). The regional maritime exercises test skills learned from previous APS training events.

“Saharan Express is not just another task passing across the desk of the Senegalese armed forces,” said Rear Adm. Mohamed Sane, Senegalese Sous-Chef d’Etat Major Général des Armées. “It is an exercise of great importance for the Senegalese navy and the naval forces of the sub-region. It allows us to practice the techniques taught to our crews and is, as such, an indicator of the progress we are making in strengthening our capacity to carry out the tasks entrusted to us.”

During SE-13, 10 ships, four aircraft and four maritime operations centers were operated by participating nations to achieve their common maritime security goals through partnerships and collaboration while focusing on deterring piracy, countering illicit trafficking and protecting resources.

As part of the U.S. Navy's global maritime partnerships, APS was developed to support sustained, focused training and multinational and organizational collaboration on a regional scale in order to increase maritime safety and security in Africa.

Eight West African and six European nations participated in SE-13 including Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, France, The Gambia, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, The Netherlands, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, United Kingdom and the United States.

Read more: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/103524/saharan-express-2013-concludes-senegal#.UUPLEReOQY8#ixzz2Nf79VM00

The King of Morocco visit to Senegal

The King of Morocco is starting as of Friday March 15 an official visit to Senegal, first leg of an African tour that will also take him to Gabon and Cote d’Ivoire.
The visit to Senegal is not a surprise to anyone, as has always included the Dakar phase in his trips to Africa.
Thus, in 2001, just two years after coming to power at the demise of his father, the King paid a state visit to Senegal. In June 2004, the Moroccan king paid a second visit to Senegal part of an African tour that also led him to Benin, Cameroun, Gabon, and Niger. Less than a year later, in the spring of 2005, during a tour that and also included Burkina Faso, Gabon, and Mauritania, King Mohammed VI was again received in Senegal as an official guest.
In November 2006, the king will pay a work visit to Dakar, his fourth to Senegal in just five years.
Each of these visits provided opportunity to consolidate further the historical longstanding relations binding Morocco and Senegal, to sign more cooperation agreements, and to give a new momentum to investments, both at the level of state-owned companies and at the level of the private sector.
Economic relations between the two countries are described as very good and according to 2011 figures, Senegal was Morocco’s leading trade partner in West Africa with a volume estimated at $122 million.
This bilateral cooperation is not limited to the trade and economic sectors only but also covers education and training. Hundreds of Senegalese students are attending Moroccan Universities and other higher institutes with grants from the Moroccan Government. Many Senegalese civil servants and even military also benefit from training and refreshing courses in Morocco.
The two countries are also bound by strong historical and religious ties
and the followers of the Tijani confraternity regularly come to Morocco to visit the Mausoleum of Sheikh Sidi Ahmed Tijani, the founder of this soufi confraternity, who is buried in Fes.
Besides these very strong economic, cultural and spiritual ties, Morocco and Senegal have established a political partnership that defies time and men. Whether Senegal is ruled by a Leopold Sedar Senghor, a Abdou Diouf, a Abdoulaye Wade or a Macky Sall, the country has always been keen on preserving its firm political ties with the North African kingdom, and Morocco, under the reign of the late Mohammed V, the late Hassan II or under the reign of King Mohammed VI has always endeavoured to upgrade its privileged partnership with the West African country.
This fifth royal trip to Senegal is providing a new opportunity to the two heads of state to reiterate their mutual commitment to the everlasting, outstanding relations binding the two countries.

Author Geraldine boexhat

Posted by Geraldine Boechat on March 15, 2013. 

United States Dedicates New U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal

United States Dedicates New U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal

In an important symbol of America’s commitment to an enduring friendship with Senegal, U.S. Ambassador to the Republics of Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, Lewis Lukens, dedicated the new U.S. Embassy in Dakar today. Occupying a 10-acre site near Pointe des Almadies, the $181 million multi-building complex provides a centralized location for the mission, as well as a state-of-the-art, environmentally- sustainable workplace for embassy personnel.

The architect of record for the project was Page Southerland Page of Arlington, Virginia, and B.L. Harbert International, LLC of Birmingham, Alabama, was the construction contractor.

The new facility incorporates numerous sustainable features to conserve resources and reduce operating costs, most notably an extensive system of 1,290 photovoltaic panels; solar control shading devices to reduce solar heat gain and energy cooling costs; and on-site treatment of wastewater that is reused for irrigation. The facility has been registered with the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^®) with enough points to earn LEED Gold certification.

Since 1999, as part of the Department’s Capital Security Construction Program, OBO has completed 97 new diplomatic facilities and has an additional 37 projects in design or under construction.

OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. Government to the host nation and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities should represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.

Air Senegal to start operation soon

The aviation industry in the country is presently experiencing a considerable boom, as recognized flights, including Air Senegal, are finding Sierra Leone a profitable destination.
This, according to the Head of General Sales Agency, Chris Robertshaw, is in line with the fact that Sierra Leone is not only among the fastest growing economies in the world but also one of the best countries in the world to do business.
He said that with Air Senegal’s reliable service and safety acclaimed across Africa and the world, their arrival will contribute to local employment and increase the country’s revenue collection.
He said that they are positioned to provide outstanding services in the aviation industry that would potentially change the taste of flight experience in the sub-region, for which they will be charging a return ticket of $599 to Senegal.
Mareme Niasse, the Country Manager for Air Senegal, in her presentation, said that the flight will make its maiden landing at the Freetown International Airport, Lungi, on the 25th of February this year. She revealed that it is the first direct flight to Senegal, with an investment portfolio worth 23 million Euros.
She said that with their present operation within the sub region, including West Africa, Central among others, there is an immediate future plan to extend operations right through Africa, Europe and the Americas.
Madam Niasse said that Air Senegal is one of the fastest growing airlines in the sub- region.
He said they started with two aircrafts running within four destinations. And at the moment, the airline can boast of 16 aircrafts running between 17 destinations.
By Poindexter Sama

Senegal to send 150 paramilitary police to Mali

Senegalese President Macky Sall said Friday his country will send 150 paramilitary police officers to Mali, in addition to 500 soldiers already deployed as part of a force battling radical Islamists.

"Aside from the 500 Senegalese soldiers sent as part of the international force, Senegal's paramilitary police will also send a contingent of 150 members," Sall said in comments published by the state news agency.

"These officers will join the United Nations police in securing liberated towns."

He was speaking during the departure of the third and final group of soldiers to the neighbouring country.

Some 8,000 soldiers have been pledged by African countries to join the offensive against the Islamists, and take over from the French forces leading the operation. The UN is mulling incorporating them into an official peacekeeping force.

-Sapa-AFP

President Macky Sall has been nominated for the Award "Excellence in National Stewardship of the Ocean"

Dakar, 24 January 2013 - Greenpeace presents its congratulations to President Macky Sall who just won the award "Excellence in National Stewardship of the Ocean 1" IN the 6th Edition of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards.

This annual award is given to the representative of a nation whose policies contribute to the protection and restoration of THE oceans for the benefit of  the communities that depend on that for their ²food and livelihoods.

"Since the beginning of his leadership of Senegal, President Macky Sall has made strong and courageous decisions that go in the direction of preserving the nation's fisheries. This award is a recognition of his political commitment, "said Michael Obrien Onyeka, Executive Director of Greenpeace Africa.

Among the notable measures taken by President Sall are the cancellation, in April 2012, of 29 illegal fishing authorizations ² granted by the former government to foreign pelagic trawlers which where plundering marine resources and endangering the livelihoods of artisanal fishing communities. In addition, he decided to close the waters under Senegalese jurisdiction to pelagic trawlers for a period of at least one year.

During the 42nd United Nations Conference on Sustainable development (RIO+20) and the 16th Conference of "Francophonie" Macky Sall demonstrated his commitment in the international arena.

Greenpeace, which proposed President Macky Sall to the selection committee, wishes to see him continue to promote marine reserves and good governance in fishery resources management at the regional level.

Contacts:

Ahmed Diame, Greenpeace Oceans Campaigner Africa. Tel: +221773328994.ahmed.diame@greenpeace.org

Bakary Coulibaly, Oceans Communications Officer Greenpeace Africa. Tel: +221 773336265.bkouliba@greenpeace.org