Vol 55 No 12 | ZAMBIAINDIA Fury over Vedanta 13th June 2014 A foreign company’s comments sparked public and government anger in a far-reaching debate about mining policy and taxes Calls for higher mining taxes are increasing and new audits are in progress after comments about Zambia by the Vedanta Resources Chairman, Anil Agarwal, caused outrage. On 9...
Vol 55 No 12 | MOZAMBIQUE Oily bumps in the road 13th June 2014 Arguments over the gas project, an offshore spill and an uncertain legal framework show that the way to the oil and gas bonanza is not easy Mozambique’s nascent oil and gas industry has suffered its first significant spill. It highlights one of the difficulties in developing one of the world’s largest gas deposits. This...
Vol 55 No 12 | MOZAMBIQUE Spills – clear as mud 13th June 2014 In May, Anadarko informed the Environment Ministry that 30,000 litres of drilling fluid had accidentally leaked from one of its exploratory wells in the Rovuma Basin, 46 kilometres...
Vol 55 No 12 | MALAWI Mutharika, the sequel 13th June 2014 Many fear that Peter Mutharika will revert to his brother’s divisive policies but he is under pressure to be more conciliatory All eyes have turned to President Arthur Peter Mutharika's plans, policies and appointments now that the turbulent post-election period is over. As the dust settles, few doubt that...
Vol 55 No 12 | ZIMBABWE The lesser weevils 13th June 2014 The accelerating signs of a lame-duck presidency are visible and rivals in the ruling party are pursuing their own agendas With little cohesion and less vision, the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front is stumbling towards its elective congress in December. Despite his 90 years, President Robert Mugabe...
Vol 55 No 12 | ANGOLA Alarm as oil production falls 12th June 2014 Falling output is affecting the economy but it’s unlikely to change the habits of the elite The policy of 'de-dollarising' the economy has gained unexpected momentum as a dip in oil production reduces the availability of the US dollar. The budget and much-needed infrastructure...
Vol 55 No 11 | SOUTH AFRICA A loyalist cabinet 30th May 2014 Zuma has picked dependable allies – whatever their records – for his cabinet. He wants to maximise his power for his final term A legacy of 'radical socio-economic transformation' is President Jacob Zuma's aim yet his new government has more old friends than new brooms. Far from the promised 'leaner and...
Vol 55 No 11 | MALAWI Poll ends in farce 30th May 2014 Banda’s attempt to cancel the election produced political turmoil and brought the country to a standstill President Joyce Banda pressed the self-destruct button on her public image at home and in the wider world when she tried to annul the 20 May presidential election....
Vol 55 No 11 | ANGOLACONGO-KINSHASA Kinshasa challenges Luanda 30th May 2014 In a row that could affect the oil industry, Congo-Kinshasa is again raising the temperature over maritime rights which Angola disputes A long-simmering dispute about rights to the sea has worsened. Last year, Angola submitted a map to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf...
Vol 55 No 11 | ZAMBIA Sata health fears grow 30th May 2014 President Michael Sata was flown to Johannesburg on 26 May after a sudden deterioration in his health, Africa Confidential has heard. He had been expected to open the...