On 1 August 2024, H.E. Mr. Russ Jalichandra, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, had a meeting with H.E. Mr. Alem Tsehaye Woldemariam, Ambassador of the State of Eritrea to the Kingdom of Thailand with residence in New Delhi, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of his visit to Thailand to attend official functions in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 72nd Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024.

Both sides expressed delight over the cordial friendship between the Kingdom of Thailand and the State of Eritrea throughout almost 30 years of their diplomatic relations. The Vice Minister emphasised on Thailand’s readiness to support the State of Eritrea through development cooperation in areas of Thailand’s expertise, especially in fishery, following the recent study visit of the Eritrean delegation. Additionally, the Ambassador of the State of Eritrea proposed that both sides intensify the exchanges of visits between Thailand and the State of Eritrea so as to enhance Thai-Eritrean bilateral relations.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand.

“For far too long, disagreements have divided us, leading to the loss of meaningful connections with dear friends. Taking part in this joyous reunification fills me with gratitude.”

That was the emotional message from 55-year-old cattle keeper, Keribino Kout, at a peace festival in Rocrocdong, Western Bahr El Ghazal, organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

The event brought together large numbers of representatives from neighbouring communities through dance, music, and other performances that emphasized their shared culture and traditions while celebrating their diversity.

The aim was to promote unity and social cohesion in the area, which is a hotspot for intercommunal conflict driven by fighting between farmers and pastoralists over grazing land and other resources. This violence has caused a significant increase in displacement within and outside the State.

Speaking at the event, the Acting Minister of Peacebuilding, Rudolf Andrea Ujika, said it provided an important opportunity to partner with peace allies to advance initiatives to nurture harmony between communities.

“In addition, the presence of additional security forces to uphold order and prevent conflict is contributing to a greater sense of safety among residents, particularly women,” he said.

People from across the State came together to participate in the event which also promoted the important impact of the Marial Bai peace agreement, a landmark deal signed between pastoralists and farmers. It provides guidelines for resolving migration-related disputes, procedures for obtaining authorization to move cattle, and provisions for compensation for crop damage and livestock loss.

“The peace agreement has made a remarkable difference in our lives. We can now travel to Wau through Rocrocdong without fear, eliminating the need for long journeys,” said Martha Chol, an internally displaced person from Warrap.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

In recent years, several Western banks and financial institutions have implemented policies aimed at reducing support for fossil fuel projects, especially in Africa. This has led to a sharp decline in investment in the continent’s oil and gas industry, a sector that is crucial for its economic future and energy needs. The African Energy Chamber (AEC) (https://EnergyChamber.org) argues that these institutions are practicing “financial apartheid,” arguing that while similar projects receive support in Europe, Africa’s high-cost energy projects are being neglected.

The decline in investment is already having a noticeable impact, exacerbated by global shifts towards cleaner energy and prioritizing of ESG practices. Major international oil companies are reducing their presence in Africa. For instance, Equinor has withdrawn from offshore exploration in South Africa and ExxonMobil has exited a deep-water oil prospect in Ghana. This decline is contributing to a bleak outlook for Africa’s energy sector.

“As the international community moves to boycott investments in the African energy sector, African people and African development stand to suffer,” says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC. “The role of oil in Africa’s energy and economic future is apparent, and consequently, should be defended as Western elites move to disrupt African progress.”

The broader implications of financial divestment are profound. Many African governments rely on fossil fuels as a cost-effective means to alleviate energy poverty and boost state revenues. However, the increasing pressure on financial institutions to cut funding for high-carbon projects creates uncertainty about the future of Africa’s energy sector.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has added to these challenges with its calls to cease funding for oil and gas projects, highlighting a disparity: while natural gas is considered a ‘green’ energy source for Europe, it does not receive the same treatment in Africa. According to Ayuk, “The IEA has lost its relevance and its authority.” Originally focused on managing oil supply disruptions, the IEA now prioritizes policies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Its 2019 projection that no new investments in oil, gas, or coal are needed if the world continues on this path has been particularly controversial.

Several key African projects are at risk due to the withdrawal of financial support. Significant initiatives like TotalEnergies’ Mozambique LNG project, ExxonMobil’s Rovuma LNG project, Nigeria’s Train 7 LNG expansion, Senegal’s Sangomar oil field, Uganda’s Tilenga project and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) require substantial financing to advance.

Despite these setbacks, some projects are progressing. TotalEnergies is advancing its $20 billion Mozambique LNG project, aiming to develop the Golfinho and Atum fields with a production capacity of 12.88 million tonnes per year. Eni’s Coral South FLNG project in Mozambique has achieved a production capacity of 3.4 million tonnes per year. Additionally, the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project, which started gas production in November 2022, is being developed by bp, Kosmos Energy and the national oil companies of Senegal and Mauritania. This project includes an FLNG facility with an initial capacity of 2.5 million tonnes per year.

Meanwhile Nigeria’s Train 7 project, an expansion of the existing NLNG facility on Bonny Island, aims to boost production by 8 million tonnes per year, bringing the total to about 30 million tonnes per year. This development is crucial for Nigeria’s growing population and its ability to meet its energy needs.

However, delays persist. The Tanzania LNG project, involving Equinor and Shell, is stalled due to proposed government changes. UTM Offshore’s FLNG project in Nigeria, initially planned for 2023, has been postponed. Additionally, the EACOP faces significant criticism from financiers and environmental groups, complicating its development and financing.

Namibia, experiencing heightened interest from recent oil discoveries, is facing delays with the Kudu Conventional Gas Development. The Kudu Gas Project, an offshore initiative, has faced setbacks related to financing and project development challenges. As a result, the project is still pending FID and anticipated to commence production by 2026.

“Today, African Energy Poverty numbers are skyrocketing. Nine hundred million Africans lack access to clean cooking technologies, while 600 million lack access to electricity, most of them women. African families are facing high energy cost and inflation is going up,” Ayuk emphasizes. “It is shocking that financial institutions that do business in Africa continue to practice financial apartheid by cutting off capital and financing to oil and gas companies operating in Africa because of climate concerns. These same institutions fund gas development in Europe, where natural gas is deemed green and a fossil fuel for Africans.”

The disparity in financing not only undermines Africa’s ability to harness its natural resources for its development but also perpetuates a cycle of energy deprivation. The AEC urges a re-evaluation of this approach and calls on global financiers to support Africa’s energy projects, recognizing their critical role in advancing economic development, enhancing energy security, and improving living standards across the continent.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.