Djibouti’s Energy Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Aim for Full Electrification by 2035

Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Yonis Ali Guedi.
Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Yonis Ali Guedi.
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Djibouti’s Energy Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Aim for Full Electrification by 2035

Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Yonis Ali Guedi.
Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Yonis Ali Guedi.

Djibouti’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Yonis Ali Guedi said that facing climate challenges and the depletion of traditional resources requires promoting and developing clean energies.

He added that his government was currently focusing on increasing electric power and achieving a 100 percent electrification rate by 2035, as well as promoting access to clean, carbon-neutral and affordable energy.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Guedi said the availability of clean energy would allow the generation of more wealth and achieve sustainable and comprehensive economic and social development, pointing to the need to strengthen cooperation between his country and Saudi Arabia.

Partnership with Saudi Arabia
Guedi stressed Djibouti’s desire to benefit from the Saudi experience and expertise in the field of energy and mining, underlining the will to consolidate the already fruitful and multi-faceted cooperation and direct it towards the fields of energy and mining.

He also called on Saudi investors to promote and develop clean renewable energy sources and mining resources.

“Djibouti’s geographical and geological location and its great potential in mineral resources encourage the mobilization of the necessary financing to launch exploration works within the framework of a strategic partnership that will involve the public and private sectors of the two countries,” he said.

He added that his government was intending to organize an international mining exhibition in Djibouti, with the participation of Saudi investors, to benefit from the Saudi experience and expertise.

“Saudi Arabia is a key partner for Djibouti in the field of economic and social development. Our ambition is to succeed in exploiting the untapped potential of mining… in translation of the national vision aimed at reconciling the necessary economic development with the protection of the natural environment,” the minister told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Sector development plan
On the government’s plan to develop the oil and energy sector in Djibouti in 2022, Guedi said: “We seek to develop the oil and energy sector in accordance with the Djibouti Vision 2035, as the country enjoys a strategic location at the crossroads of the African continent and the Arabian Peninsula.”

He continued: “The Bab al-Mandeb strait is considered the fourth global sea crossing in the transportation of hydrocarbons, especially since Djibouti is an oil importing country, and our energy sector relies heavily on the use of traditional sources.”

He noted that President Ismail Omar Guelleh directed the government to establish an industrial zone in Damergoj in southern Djibouti, where an oil port is being built, with a capacity ranging between 50,000-100,000 tons of heavy oil.

According to Guedi, the economic complex is expected to accommodate a 3-km offshore oil dock, an engineering platform, refineries and a hydrocarbon storage area, with a total capacity of more than 13 million tons and a storage capacity of more than 800,000 cubic meters in its first phase.

“To keep pace with these tremendous developments, we have adopted a training plan for the employees who are expected to work in this future oil port, with the technical support of our Tunisian brothers,” he said, adding: “In addition to the above, this future oil port will also be a landing point for a gas pipeline that stretches over 767 kilometers from Ethiopia, which is designed for the export of Ethiopian gas…”

Guedi revealed the government’s intention to launch the first wind farm, with a capacity of 60 megawatts, in addition to implementing other large-scale projects, including operating a solar power plant with a capacity of 30 megawatts in the Grand Bara area, as well as producing geothermal energy in the near future.

Work program
On the economic level, and to overcome the effects of the pandemic, the minister revealed that the president of Djibouti has directed the support of the private sector through stimulus packages to preserve the jobs of citizens, while approving incentive facilities for neighboring Ethiopia.

Those included exemptions on import through the ports of Djibouti during the coronavirus pandemic period and the decrease of electricity consumption prices. The government also adopted other decisions in solidarity with low-income citizens, he emphasized.

On his expectations regarding the volume of production, competitiveness and the balance of global energy markets in 2022, Guedi said: “I affirm that without energy, no development can be achieved. Energy is an essential catalyst and accelerator for sustainable and inclusive social and economic development, and access to abundant energy at lower cost is essential not only for families but also for the private sector.”



UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Coordinator in Syria: Optimistic About Reconstruction if Transition Succeeds

UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria Adam Abdelmoula (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Since 2012, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's developmental role in Syria has been put on hold by the UN. However, the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime has revived this role.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, outlined plans for reconstruction in partnership with the new government in Damascus.

Abdelmoula expressed “great optimism” about Syria’s rebuilding but stressed that the key to rapid recovery is the “success of the transition.”

He explained that this means the transitional period—until a new constitution is agreed upon and an elected government is formed—must be secure and supported by consensus among all Syrians.

Additionally, momentum is building for Syria’s reconstruction, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries proposing an international donor conference next spring to raise funds.

Abdelmoula said the UN is consulting with the new Syrian administration to prepare projects and cost estimates for the event.

The UN is preparing aid and technical support for Syria’s new administration, along with a development plan focusing on rebuilding infrastructure, restoring electricity, reviving health services, and supporting agriculture and irrigation to boost the economy.

“We’ve informed the new administration of our work through a letter sent to the foreign minister,” said Abdelmoula.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the UN’s “early recovery strategy,” launched last November, is still in place, though its fund has yet to be registered with the trust fund office in New York.

He promised to prioritize its registration and said: “When reconstruction begins in Syria, we will work to establish a dedicated reconstruction fund.”

As for relying on donors for rebuilding Syria, Abdelmoula said: “The UN doesn’t have the billions of dollars needed, but lessons from similar crises show the importance of focusing on strategic priorities, especially rebuilding the economic foundations.”

Abdelmoula noted that UN agencies can secure funding from donors who support development activities in various countries, a process that had been stalled in Syria for over a decade.

“Since the fall of the Syrian regime, many countries, particularly Arab and neighboring ones, have provided significant aid, and this is expected to increase,” he said.

“There are also positive signals from donors, especially Europeans, about boosting humanitarian aid, including continuing the annual Brussels Conference to support Syria,” added Abdelmoula.

He revealed that the mission has learned the European Union will resume hosting the conference this year, despite the fall of Assad’s regime.

The UN official addressed Syria’s sanctions, stating that those harming the Syrian people should be lifted.

He noted that the recent Riyadh meeting showed a strong intention from key international players to ease or fully lift the sanctions.

Abdelmoula pointed out the US decision to suspend some sanctions for six months and mentioned an upcoming EU foreign ministers' meeting to discuss either lifting or easing sanctions to support Syria’s economy, humanitarian aid, banking, and market access.

He explained that some sanctions are imposed by countries like the US, Germany, France, and the UK, which are discussing the best way forward. However, he said fully lifting sanctions may take time due to laws like the US Caesar Act.

Abdelmoula stressed that efforts should focus on reducing the impact of sanctions under the Caesar Act and working to pass new legislation to cancel it. He said this should also apply to sanctions from other countries in the form of laws.

He explained that lifting sanctions would make it easier for the UN and help both the Syrian government and people. A direct benefit would be Syria’s ability to access direct funding, concessional loans from international funds and the World Bank, and grants.

Abdelmoula explained that the UN’s humanitarian work in Syria focuses on helping people in need, regardless of which political group controls the area.

“Our efforts have included people in regions outside the former regime's control in northwestern and northeastern Syria,” he said.

As the UN Resident Coordinator, Abdelmoula represents the UN in the country.

“The government recognized until December 8 was Bashar al-Assad’s, which is why my credentials were sent to it, as is the usual practice,” he noted.

Abdelmoula also pointed out that the UN’s development work in Syria was halted since 2012 due to a UN decision.

“After the regime fell, we announced that we would resume our development work,” he affirmed.