The continent has taken a decisive step towards resource sovereignty, but the real struggle lies ahead
By Vsevolod Sviridov, expert at the Center for African Studies, Higher School of Economics, Moscow
At an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) in early July, it was decided that the headquarters of the new Africa Energy Bank will be located in Nigeria, over Algeria, Benin, and Ghana. For Nigeria, it was particularly important to beat Algeria, a rival for the status of Africa’s largest energy power, and Ghana – a rival for political influence in West Africa.
Between Nigeria and Algeria, the choice probably fell on the former because, in January, the Research Institute (GRI) of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) was opened in Algeria. The GRI will develop a framework for scientific and technological cooperation through information exchange, the sharing of best practices, innovation, and technology transfer. Moreover, the African Energy Commission (AFREC) of the African Union is also located in Algeria. The presence of such international organizations has already sealed Algeria’s status as an influential player in the energy sector, both in Africa and globally.
The fact that the headquarters of the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) – which may become one of Africa’s most influential financial structures, both in the energy sector and in general – will be located in Nigeria is an important achievement for the country, especially in light of the crises which have impacted the country’s energy sector.
The founding documents and the AEB charter were signed in early June by Afreximbank and the Africa Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO). The latter is an African organization established in 1987 to develop intra-African cooperation in the energy sector. The same two organizations spearheaded the project to establish the AEB, became its founders, and will provide a large portion of the initial capital.
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https://www.rt.com/africa/601547-sovereignty-africa-energy-bank/
US President Donald Trump confirmed on Wednesday the upcoming start of ground strikes against drug cartel targets in Latin America.
He made the remarks during Christmas greetings to the military.
Trump said the United States was "now going after the land" in its fight against drug cartel targets, noting that drug trafficking by sea was down 96 percent.
The U.S. president also extended special congratulations to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, currently deployed in the Caribbean.
BEIJING (Sputnik) - China has begun operating the world's first intelligent ultra-large oil tanker powered by methanol, the China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Monday.
The tanker, designed to transport crude oil, was successfully put into operation in the city of Dalian in China's northeastern coastal province of Liaoning, the report said. State-owned company Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co Ltd independently designed and built the vessel, it added.
The tanker is approximately 333 meters (1,092 feet) long and can carry around 2.1 million barrels of crude oil, the CCTV reported. Designed to produce low emissions and having intelligent control capabilities, the tanker will serve the route to the Middle East, among others, according to the report.
The vessel is powered by a dual-fuel methanol engine, which reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 92% compared to conventional fuel, the CCTV reported. It is equipped with an intelligent ship platform, an intelligent liquid cargo ...
A car bomb has killed a senior General Staff member, officials have confirmed
Source: The Investigative Committee
A Russian general has been killed in a car bomb blast in Moscow, the Investigative Committee has reported.
Officials identified the victim as Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of operational training at the General Staff. According to the statement, an explosive device had been planted beneath the vehicle he was traveling in, and detonated on Monday morning in the southern part of the Russian capital.
The blast also damaged several other vehicles and seriously injured Sarvarov’s driver, media reports stated.
Russian officials said one line of investigation is an assassination carried out by Ukrainian intelligence services, noting that Kiev has previously used explosive devices in targeted killings of officials and public figures.
Last December, a bomb hidden in an e-scooter killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, commander of Russia’s Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense ...
