AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO FINANCE BRIDGE

UNCLAS DAKAR 001892

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/CBA, AF/EPS AND AF/W
AID/W FOR AFR/WA AND AFR/SD
USDOC FOR 4510/IEP/ANESA/OA/PMICHELINI/AROBINSON/KBOYD
USDOC FOR 3131/ANESA MSTAUNTON/GLITMAN/GLOOSE
NOUAKCHOTT FOR ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL SECTION
TUNIS FOR AFDB USED

E.O.12958: N/A
TAGS: BTIO BEXP ECIN EAID SG MR
SUBJECT: AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK TO FINANCE BRIDGE
CONNECTING SENEGAL AND MAURITANIA



1. During a recent visit to Senegal, the President of the
African Development Bank Group (AfDB) announced the Bank's
plans to provide financial support for the construction of
a bridge at Rosso, on the Senegal River, which will link
Senegal and Mauritania. The project of building a bridge
over the Senegal River, at the border between Senegal and
Mauritania, has been discussed for years but never seemed
to advance for various reasons -- mostly political. In
fact, it featured prominently in former Mauritanian
President Taya's official visit to Senegal in 2005. It
seems now that Senegal and Mauritania have overcome their
political differences and are committed to move the
project forward. This is a significant step forward given
that in 1989, what started with squabbling between
Mauritanian and Senegalese herders over grazing at the
border ignited into a conflict that has left deep scars
among the populations.


2. The erection of the Rosso bridge falls within the
parameters of promoting regional and sub-regional
integration, largely spelled out in the New Partnership
for Africa's Development (NEPAD),an initiative
spearheaded by African leaders and designed to address the
current challenges facing the African continent, such as
escalating poverty and underdevelopment. One of the
pillars of NEPAD remains the strengthening of regional
integration through infrastructure development. The road
between Dakar and Tangier, viewed by Senegal and Morocco
as a way to accelerate intra-African trade and also trade
with Europe, will become fully operational only when the
current delays at the Rosso ferry become history,
something that the Rosso bridge aims to accomplish.


3. Senegal is an active member of the Organization for
the Development of the Senegal River Basin (OMVS),which
was established to implement development programs built
around the water resources shared by Mauritania, Senegal
and Mali.


4. U.S. companies interested in this upcoming project
should be on the look out and consult with AfDB and with
OMVS. The scope of work will range from consulting to
construction and engineering. The AfDB and OMVS may be
contacted at the following addresses:

-- African Development Bank - AfDB

Kristel Fredrikson, Liaison Officer
African Development Bank
Angle des trois rues: Avenue du Ghana, Rue Pierre de
Coubertin, Rue Hedi Nouira
BP 323 1002
Tunis Belvedre
Tunisia
Tel: (216)71-333-511 or (216)71-103-450
Fax: (216)71-351-933
Email: afdb@afdb.org

-- OMVS

Mouhamed Salem Ould Merzoug
High Commissioner
46, Rue Carnot x Mohamed V
Tel: (221) 823-4530
Fax: (221) 823-4762 or (221) 822-0163
E-mail: omvssphc@sentoo.sn

JACOBS