The humanitarian situation in Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is becoming increasingly critical, with over 1.6 million people displaced in the province at the end of 2023. The international community must stop neglecting communities in Ituri and take urgent action to support them build the foundations for a peaceful future, urges the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

While the world’s attention is captured by the worsening situation in and around Goma in the North Kivu province, the conflict in neighbouring Ituri is being repeatedly overlooked by the international community. Increased inter-communal violence has accelerated a breakdown in the social cohesion between communities as repeated attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes since February 2024

“We cannot afford to overlook the deteriorating conflict in Ituri. The lack of international attention beyond the crisis in North Kivu and the increasing breakdown in relations between local communities across Ituri demand immediate action. We need to be able to deliver more humanitarian aid while also promoting dialogue and reconciliation locally,” said Eric Batonon, NRC country director in DRC.

The number of violent attacks in Ituri have increased steadily over the past six months, with almost 200 attacks taking place since the start of the year. Local populations have been strongly affected, as they are unable to work their lands out of fear of attacks or reprisals and cannot provide for their families. The intense violence is driving communities into small areas that are considered stable for the moment. Here, both displaced people and their hosting communities are forced to compete for already limited food, jobs and land while international support remains insufficient.

Georgette is an internally displaced woman who fled her village of Lonalo-LOTSIKPA since 2019 and is now in the Plaine Savo camp. Her 5 years in the camp look like hell for her.

“I feel like I’m in prison here, it’s not a place I like. I’d like to go home. It’s hard to get food. There’s not much assistance. Access to water is also a problem. I’m tired of this life, especially when I see my children who can no longer go to school,” she said.

The cross-cutting impact of the crisis in Ituri is being felt at all levels and is resulting in a dangerous and vicious cycle as aid stays scarce and tensions grow. Disputes over land and resources are increasingly difficult to manage for local communities, as traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms are inadequate faced with this rapid deterioration. Lack of funding for social cohesion means that disputes over land, water points and livelihoods will continue to undermine the future of Ituri for years.

Children often go to school with little to no food to sustain them, and in overcrowded and poorly maintained classrooms, which has a negative impact on learning outcomes as well as psychosocial wellbeing. While schools should stand for safe environments of learning and socialisation, NRC research shows that almost one out of four parents in Ituri fear for their children’s safety when they’re in school. Education is a critical component to building long-term peaceful solutions.   

Addressing the crisis in the province requires a comprehensive response that is supported by sufficient resources and responds to immediate needs while also building durable solutions for those affected.

“We must help communities rebuild trust and relations to avoid even more conflict in the future. Improving the humanitarian crisis will require building peaceful solutions from the ground up. This can be achieved by enhancing support for conflict transformation and social cohesion initiatives in Ituri” said Eric Batonon.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.

Independent energy company Vaalco Energy has joined the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy conference as a platinum sponsor, showcasing the company’s vision for driving exploration and production in Africa.

With plans to double crude oil production to over 50,000 barrels per day by 2027, Vaalco Energy has producing assets offshore Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and onshore Egypt. AEW 2024: Invest in African Energy – taking place November 4-8 – is poised to facilitate this strategy while providing insight into the company’s ongoing projects and planned developments for tapping into Africa’s hydrocarbons resource base.

AEW: Invest in African Energy is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

Vaalco Energy revealed its plans in July last year to extend its contract of Borr Drilling’s – an international jack-up drilling contractor – Norve rig for further operations in Gabon’s offshore. Meanwhile, the company received the green light to push ahead with its $30 million Venus project offshore Equatorial Guinea after nabbing a final development approval from the country’s government in March 2023.

Following Vaalco Energy’s merger with Egypt-focused oil and gas exploration and development company TransGlobe Energy Corporation, the company is well-positioned to drive frontier exploration in one of Africa’s most sought-after petroleum regions. Vaalco Energy’s interests in Egypt are spread across two regions: the Eastern Desert, where the company participates in the West Gharib, West Bakr and Northwest Gharib merged concessions, and the Western Desert.

Meanwhile, in Gabon, the company operates primarily in the offshore Etame Marin block. Since its inception, the block has produced more than 120 million barrels of crude oil, while its remaining reserves currently stand at an estimated 113 million barrels. The block was first spud by Vaalco Energy in 2022 and served the company’s strategy to increase crude production at the Etame field through two well workovers while extending the life of the field through the discovery of more hydrocarbons.

Vaalco Energy has played an instrumental role in expanding West and North Africa’s upstream market, leading ambitious exploration campaigns that have positioned the region as a highly attractive play. The company has also become a partner of choice for many resource-rich nations, driving investment and opportunities on the back of oil and gas investment and development.

“By taking a chance in frontier markets and adhering to their commitment towards driving investment in African hydrocarbon industry, Vaalco Energy has become one of the most prominent exploration players on the continent,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber. “Their participation as a platinum sponsor at this year’s event will not only inspire other independents to participate in African oil, but showcase the success of companies who look at Africa’s frontier basins and see opportunity.”

AEW 2024: Invest in African Energy takes place under a mandate to make energy poverty history by 2030 and promotes investment across the entire African energy value chain. The conference offers a diverse lineup of panel discussions, presentations, investor briefings and project profiles, all of which aim to connect capital and technology with African projects. Visit www.AECWeek.com to secure your place at the largest energy event to take place on the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

The General Secretariat of the Arab Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program, a multi-donor, inter-regional program, launched in collaboration with Togo’s Ministry of Road Transport, Air, and Rail an initiative aimed at empowering Togo’s transport and transit sector. The “Training for Trainers” initiative is expertly facilitated by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) in Lomé, Togo.

The objective of this training is to equip trainers with the necessary skills to conduct high-quality educational sessions for professionals in the transport and transit sector. The training emphasizes strict adherence to national and international regulations while also setting new industry standards. This forward-thinking initiative aims to enhance the expertise of the distinguished trainers at the Center for Road Transport Professions in Togo. Apart from regulatory compliance, the program also focuses on creating a more efficient, secure, and robust transport environment.

Commenting on the launch of the initiative, Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO of ITFC and AATB General Secretary stated “The AATB program is dedicated to fostering economic development in the Republic of Togo, particularly in harnessing the significant potential within the transportation sector. We support the efforts of both public and private sector actors who are working towards the development of a safe and efficient transport sector in the West African sub-region. This is crucial for fostering economic and trade integration. The training provided will equip industry professionals with the necessary skills to meet local, regional, and international standards.  By participating in this initiative, trainers will not only enhance their own expertise but also contribute to Togo’s development and progress.“

The “Training for Trainers” initiative stands as a testament of the AATB Program’s unwavering commitment to fostering industry excellence and ensuring safety in member countries. As a pivotal component of AATB’s Togo Country Program, this initiative, supports the country’s strategy to refine and transform the transport and transit infrastructure. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Arab Africa Trade Bridges Program (AATB).

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About the Arab-Africa Trade Bridges (AATB) Program:
The AATB Program is a multi-donor, multi-country, and multi-organizations program supported by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), Islamic Development Bank, The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), The Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC) and The Islamic Corporation for The Development of The Private Sector (ICD). The Program aims to promote and increase trade and investment flows between African and Arab OIC Member Countries; provide and support trade finance and export credit insurance and enhance existing capacity-building tools relating to trade. The Program specifically focuses on supporting the key sectors of agriculture and related industries including textiles; the health industry including pharmaceuticals; infrastructure and transport; and petrochemicals, construction material, and technology.  

The Association of Service Providers of the Angolan Oil and Gas Industry (AECIPA) has signed an MoU with Angola Oil&Gas (AOG) event organizer Energy Capital&Power (www.EnergyCapitalPower.com). The MoU provides Angolan service companies access to exclusive discounts for the conference – scheduled for October 2-4 in Luanda.

For 100% locally-owned Angolan SME members, these include a 15% discount on sponsorship and/or exhibition rates and a 60% discount on delegate passes. Meanwhile, all other AECIPA members are offered a 10% discount on delegate passes. The added benefits for local SMEs fall part of AOG 2024’s strategy to uplift local content in the Angolan oil and gas industry.

AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; national oil company Sonangol; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the African Energy Chamber; and the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute, the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

Representing Angolan service providers, AECIPA sets out to promote, encourage, support and sponsor professional initiatives of service companies established in Angola. The association expands opportunities for its members across the Angolan oil and gas industry, strengthening local content and SME participation across the value chain.

AECIPA was a partner of the 2023 edition of AOG, underscoring the association’s commitment to bolstering service provider support in Angola. Through the 2024 partnership, AECIPA will facilitate participation by Angolan service companies at the event this October. The association is also set to lead discussions at AOG 2024 around opportunities for service providers in Angola’s oil and gas industry, promoting partnerships and connecting companies to projects.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital&Power.