South Africa Wants US To Abstain From
Vote
South
Africa has said it expects the United States to abstain from
voting on its disputed application to the World Bank for a loan
to fund a power project, on which a decision is likely in early
April.
South Africa’s Public Enterprises Minister, Barbara Hogan, told
newsmen that a vote against the loan would be the ‘most
unfortunate thing’ to happen to Africa's biggest economy, as
it would continue to face a power crunch.
The United States and Britain have threatened to withhold
support for the three-point-seven-five billion dollar loan for a
coal-fired plant in South Africa, expanding the battleground in
the global debate over who should pay for clean energy.
Barbara said the Americans are under a bit of pressure and they
have indicated to South Africa that they are not going to vote
against but they'll abstain from voting.
She said Britain and France were set to back the loan.
South Africa is reliant on coal for ninety-five percent of its
electricity needs and is the worst emitter on the continent.
South Africa's state-owned utility Eskom, which falls under
Hogan's docket, is seeking the loan intended to help expand
power generation capacity to meet fast-rising demand.
REUTERS/Williams/Yinka
