Latest news :North Korea Closes Embassies Amid Sanctions Akon City Faces New Challenges in Senegal

North Korea Closes Embassies: A Rare Look Inside an Abandoned Facility In response to severe international sanctions and financial constraints, North Korea shut down seven of its embassies last year, including its mission in Dakar, Senegal. RFA Korean Service reporters, present in Senegal for a different story, were unexpectedly granted a tour of the now-abandoned embassy, providing a rare glimpse into the lives of North Korean diplomats stationed abroad.

The conditions for North Korean workers abroad are harsh. They are required to surrender up to 80% of their earnings to their government and relinquish their passports, making them vulnerable to exploitation. Despite these difficulties, some workers enjoy relatively greater freedoms and amenities compared to their home country, though they remain under strict surveillance. The deserted Dakar embassy featured a pool, a rooftop deck, and a spacious guest room. Left behind were Chinese noodle wrappers and an empty DVD box, while a poster warned against mixing certain foods, reflecting dietary concerns.

Akon City’s Ambitious Vision Faces Increasing Scrutiny

Senegalese American singer Akon’s ambitious “Akon City” project, announced in 2020, has encountered significant obstacles. Promised as a high-tech metropolis inspired by Marvel’s *Black Panther, the $6 billion project was intended to feature futuristic condominiums, amusement parks, and gravity-defying skyscrapers powered by solar energy and Akoin cryptocurrency. However, four years later, the project remains largely unrealized.

The land allocated for Akon City, situated about 60 miles south of Dakar in the village of Mbodiène, now lies largely unused, with livestock grazing on what was meant to be a bustling development zone. Senegalese authorities have grown increasingly impatient and have issued a formal notice to Akon, threatening to reclaim 90% of the land unless construction work begins promptly.

Financial and Legal Issues Confront Akon

Recent developments reveal that Sapco-Senegal, the state-owned entity responsible for the country’s coastal and tourism areas, has taken action due to missed payments and halted progress. Akon is also facing legal challenges; in 2021, his former business partner, Devyne Stephens, filed a $4 million lawsuit against him, alleging unpaid debts related to the project and suggesting fraudulent practices. Despite Akon’s original vision of creating job opportunities and a new haven for African-Americans reconnecting with their roots, doubts about the project’s feasibility and future continue to grow.

The struggles of both North Korea’s diplomatic missions and Akon City highlight the complexities and difficulties inherent in international diplomacy and large-scale development projects.