Photo : Temilade Adelaja,Reuters
NIAS Area Studies
AFRICA MONITOR
Photo : Temilade Adelaja,Reuters
IN BRIEF
by Jerry Franklin and Immaculine Joy Paul
Nigeria: Dangote opens Africa’s biggest oil refinery
On 22 May, BBC reported that Africa’s biggest oil refinery opened in Nigeria. The refinery is worth USD 19 billion and has the capacity to produce about 650,000 barrels of petroleum products a day which is more than sufficient to meet the country’s demands. In spite of being a major oil producer, Nigeria exports most of its production and imports refined fuel which causes the fuel shortage in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari stated that the refinery could be a game-changer for the Nigerian people. (“Dangote oil refinery launched in Nigeria,” BBC, 22 May 2023)
South Africa: Cholera outbreak
On 22 May, Al Jazeera reported that an outbreak of Cholera in the province of Gauteng killed ten people and 95 people visited the hospital showing the cholera symptoms. The Gauteng health department stated that lab tests confirmed at least 19 cases of cholera and added that 37 people were admitted in critical condition. The provincial head for health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, advised people to take extra precautionary measures and maintain proper hygiene. Additionally, there have been warnings to the residents stating not to drink water from their taps. (“Ten dead, 37 critically ill in SA cholera outbreak,” Al Jazeera, 22 May 2023)
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister tours African countries
On 22 May, Al Jazeera reported that Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba started his Africa tour with the main priority to get the support of the African countries on the peace plan introduced by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. The visit reflects Kyiv’s diplomatic push to challenge Russian influence in the Global South - Latin America, Africa, and much of Asia. Kuleba stated that the visit aimed to win support for the continuous flow of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea and secure new venues for Ukrainian business. (“Ukraine courts ‘Global South’ in push to challenge Russia,” Al Jazeera, 22 May 2023)
DRC: President Felix Tshisekedi visits China
On 22 May, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China announced that the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, intended to meet the President of China, Xi Jinping, from 24 May to 29 May. The summit aims to formally restructure trade deals between the two countries and finalize a USD six billion infrastructure-for-minerals deal with Chinese investors. The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt which is used in batteries and has substantial deposits of gold, lithium, diamonds, and tantalum. Tshisekedi stated that a task force submitted its conclusions about the deal, enabling dialogues with Chinese partners. (“Trade deal signing expected as DRC leader visits China this week,” Al Jazeera, 22 May 2023)