Chad Roundup: Money laundering, constitutional referendum, infrastructure
Infrastructure collaboration
The Chadian Minister of Infrastructure, Idriss Saleh Bachar has held discussions with his Cameroonian counterpart, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi, on joint infrastructure collaborations between the two states. This happened during a working visit to Cameroon on November 20, 2023, local media Journal du Tchad reported. The meeting, attended by experts from both delegations, focused on key infrastructure projects shared between the two countries. These projects include the Douala-N'Djamena road/rail corridor, the ongoing construction of the Logone bridge connecting Yagoua in Cameroon to Bongor in Chad, and the proposed construction of a new bridge over the Chari, linking N'Djamena from Farcha/Mara to the Kousseri area in Cameroon.
Money laundering
The Basel Institute on Governance has ranked Chad in the top position among African nations most vulnerable to money laundering and terrorist financing, with a score of 8.14. This ranking positions Chad as the second most exposed country globally in this regard, the report indicates. DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Gabon, and Guinea-Bissau, followed respectively. Annually, the Basel Institute on Governance compiles an independent score and ranking known as the Basel AML Index, assessing the global risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. Introduced by the Basel Institute of Governance in 2012, this index provides risk scores derived from data gathered from 15 publicly accessible sources, including institutions such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum.
Constitutional referendum
The Transitional Prime Minister of Chad, Saleh Kebzabo has convened a meeting with political parties backing the transition collectively called the ‘Coalition for Yes.’ In his role as the former opposition leader, now serving as Prime Minister, Saleh Kebzabo aims to equip the coalition with the necessary tools to garner public support for the proposed Constitution. "We must demonstrate and prove to our compatriots that salvation lies only in a unitary, decentralized state, characterized by good governance, peace, and national unity," Kebzabo is quoted by WeAfrica24.
Electricity collaboration
The governments of Chad and Cameroon on November 21 inaugurated the electricity grid interconnection project linking the two countries in Yaoundé. The event was presided over by the Minister of Water and Energy of Cameroon, Gaston Eloundou Essomba with the Chadian delegation in attendance, local media Alwidainfo.com reports. In 2021, the project received a significant contribution with the opening by the World Bank (WB) of a credit line of 305 million dollars for its implementation. The project comprises 1,319 kilometres of transmission lines as well as related high voltage, medium voltage and low voltage equipment to transport energy from Cameroon to Chad, which will make it possible to cover 478 localities with electricity.
ADB grant
The African Development Bank Group has donated 34 million euros to Chad to facilitate the second phase of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Program in semi-urban and rural areas across the country. “By investing in the construction of social and rural infrastructure in areas affected by fragility, the program will contribute to the construction of resilient societies, the reduction of isolation and inequalities between women and men, the promotion of inclusive economic development and strengthening access to basic health services,” said Mamadi Souaré, acting head of the African Development Bank country office in Chad. The project includes the construction of boreholes, submerged pumps and hydraulic production units, Journal du Tchad reports.
