Photo : Stuart Tibaweswa, AFP
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Stuart Tibaweswa, AFP
IN BRIEF
By Narmatha S and Vetriselvi Baskaran
Uganda: Government to set up oil refinery
On 24 January, BBC reported that the Ugandan government is in negotiation with a Dubai-origin company to set up a USD four billion oil refinery. Uganda has set a bid with the United Arab Emirates's Alpha MBM. The company would help Uganda to develop its commercial crude oil for trade. Both parties are expected to reach a deal within three months and begin the project soon. By 2025, it is expected to start extraction commercially. Several safety precautions and environment-friendly regulations will be set up to reduce emissions and minimise environmental harm. Uganda is in the early stages of developing another oil project, a 1,443 km pipeline, to transport crude oil for export from Western Uganda to Tanzania's Tanga port. (“Uganda in talks with UAE firm for $4bn oil refinery,” BBC, 24 January 2024)
Ethiopia: National security advisor signals compromise on Somaliland port deal
On 24 January, BBC reported that Ethiopia's National Security chief, Redwan Hussien, expressed willingness to engage with "friends" and listen to their suggestions. This came following the increasing tension between Ethiopia and Somalia over Ethiopia’s port deal with Somaliland. Hussein stated: "Will listen to friends for a possible coordination of efforts lowering rhetoric." He added that Ethiopia "will continue striving to steadily reach at a conclusion with amicable considerations which benefit all." This followed his criticism of "opportunistic external actors," targeting Egypt's stance against the deal. The MoU grants Ethiopia port access for military and commercial use, sparking outrage in Somalia, which considers Somaliland its territory. ("Ethiopia open to dialogue over Somaliland deal - official," BBC, 24 January 2024)
Nigeria: Wish to be a "strong security partner for Nigeria,” says Antony Blinken
On 24 January, during the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken's visit to Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu discussed the West African issues. Antony Blinken stated that the US wishes to be a "strong security partner for Nigeria" for their likewise minds in battling Islamist militants. Nigeria has recently witnessed escalating tensions where armed groups are targeting communities, especially carrying out ransom kidnappings. ("US pledges strong security partnership with Nigeria," BBC, 24 January 2024)