NIGERIA Jonathan faces the north 13th June 2014 Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, London Ministerial meeting on security in Northern Nigeria, 12 June 2014 Pic: Foreign and Commonwealth Office After two months in the global spotlight, the insurgency in northern Nigeria is fast turning into a national political crisis The deepening security crisis in northern Nigeria and along the borders with Cameroon and Niger has galvanised more attention internationally than in Abuja. This week, it was Britain's turn to hold a security conference on northern Nigeria. It invited an impressive group of diplomats and security experts. Many also attended the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, hosted by Foreign Secretary William Hague and Angelina Jolie, a Special Envoy of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. READ FOR FREE
ZAMBIAINDIA Fury over Vedanta 13th June 2014 Image courtesy of Panos Pictures View site 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...
MOZAMBIQUE Oily bumps in the road 13th June 2014 Image courtesy of Panos Pictures View site 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...
It’s official: it started with a pain in the neck at the National Executive Committee meeting of the African National Congress. That is Jacob Zuma’s neck and the pain was severe enough for his fellow NEC members to send him to hospital. ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe insists that President Zuma was merely tired and will deliver the state of the nation address on 17 June. By then, It’s official: it started with a pain in the neck at the National Executive Committee meeting of the African National Congress. That is Jacob Zuma’s neck and the pain was severe enough for his fellow NEC members to send him to hospital. ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe insists that President Zuma was merely tired and will deliver the state of the nation address on 17 June. By then, Cyril Ramaphosa will have chalked up some appearances on Zuma’s behalf. This week he chaired the cabinet lekgotla (big meeting) which is meant to map out the government’s plans. Ramaphosa will also be leader of government business in Parliament and we hear he will chair the National Planning Commission after the departure of Trevor Manuel. With Zuma resting up before he faces renewed questioning over state spending on his Nkandla homestead and the latest probe into the US$6 billion arms deal, this looks strikingly like power seeping across to Deputy Ramaphosa. If so, it will be a tough initiation, even for this veteran union leader. Although there was meant to be consensus about the pro-market policies in the National Development Plan, companies were puzzled to hear the ANC announce last week that its election victory was a mandate for radical economic transformation. That sounds scary to business, especially when growth is slowing and the platinum mine workers are still striking. Comrade Cyril can expect more calls from his old friends in the corporate world. Read more
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...
ALGERIAMAGHREB Take the lead if you can 13th June 2014 Reports of Algerian forces operating in Libya underline the size of the regional security challenge and raise questions about Algiers’ leadership A rise in protest in the south is adding to concern in Algiers that its vast Saharan landmass, which holds most of its key oil and gas reserves,...
EGYPTLIBYASUDAN Cairo leans on Khartoum 13th June 2014 Tension is still rising between Khartoum and Cairo as Egypt's new leader President Abdel Fatah Khalil el Sisi sets out his strategic priorities. Top of the list is...
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...
EGYPT Filling in the blanks 9th June 2014 El Sisi is concentrating on building a political power base and leaving trusted technocrats to tackle the tough economic challenges ahead With the formalities of yesterday's presidential inauguration behind him, Field Marshal Abdel Fatah Khalil el Sisi's key new challenge is to ensure that he wins a solid majority...
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...
ALGERIA Adrift in dangerous waters 13th June 2014 Bouteflika’s infirmity symbolises a rudderless state. The regime lacks the strength to produce domestic reform or regional reliability It may have been a landslide but President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's April election victory failed to convince. It nonetheless left him and the powerful machine behind him promising a...
SUDANIRAN The Red Sea missile drama 5th June 2014 Fearing reprisals from Saudi Arabia and Israel, Khartoum turns down Tehran's offer to build missile launch pads near Port Sudan Just how close are relations between the Islamist regimes in Khartoum and Tehran? The headline from Iran's Fars News Agency on 4 June – 'Iran, Sudan Discuss Expansion...
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...
SENEGAL The Caliph's council 13th June 2014 In defiance of a 2010 law stipulating equal numbers of both sexes, the candidates' list for the 29 June municipal elections in the holy city of Touba includes...
SIERRA LEONE Koroma sacks top aide 13th June 2014 President Ernest Bai Koroma sacked his chief of staff Richard Konteh for alleged corruption over mining and timber deals on 9 June. The dismissal casts a cloud over...
MALI Ripples from Kidal 13th June 2014 As retired air force Colonel Major Ba N'Dao settles in as the new Defence Minister, a parliamentary investigation begins into the rout of the army at Kidal on...