East Africa

South Sudan's Government urged opposition forces on Tuesday to stop fighting, claiming that a rebel advance in Jonglei State and ongoing clashes which have already caused mass displacement threaten to reignite civil war. According to the United Nations, the scale of clashes between government forces and fighters loyal to 'the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in-Opposition' (SPLA-IO), has not been seen since 2017. The government claimed that its forces had defeated rebel advances in Jonglei. This region stretches from the border of Ethiopia to central South Sudan. Ateny Wek Ateny, the government's spokesperson and minister of information, said that "the ongoing security...

Four executives from refineries in India said that the United States is the main destination for Venezuelan crude oil, and this has slowed down the return of South American supplies to the third largest importer of oil. Trafigura and Vitol, two trading houses, began selling Venezuelan oil in this month following an agreement reached between Caracas Washington to sell the?U.S. After the capture of Venezuelan President?Nicolas Maduro by the U.S. on January 3, Trafigura and Vitol began marketing Venezuelan oil this month. Reliance Industries Ltd, Indian Oil Corp Hindustan Petroleum Corp, and Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd are among the...

By America Hernandez PARIS, December 2 - French oil giant TotalEnergies, along with its other partners in the $20 billion Mozambique Gas Project, have agreed to provide more equity to replace previous contributions from British and Dutch Export Credit Agencies, the company announced on Tuesday. Total reported that the UK and Dutch agencies accounted for about 10% of the initial $15.4 billion external funding obtained by the project. Total's 13 million tons per year liquefied gas project will turn Mozambique into a major exporter of gas when it starts production in 2029, but the project has been bogged down in...

TotalEnergies was accused by a European human rights organization of complicity with war crimes, torture, and enforced disappearances in Mozambique. The complaint was filed to the French prosecutor's office on Tuesday. Four years after an Islamist militant attack that halted construction, the French oil giant, together with its project partners lifted force majeure for their $20 billion Mozambique gas project. The complaint seeks a link between Total and alleged mozambican torture on its evacuated site of the gas project from July to September 2020, after the oil firm exfiltrated their employees and gave the land to government on the basis...

The Ugandan electoral commission announced on Tuesday that the general elections will be held in the country on January 15. At the election, the octogenarian president Yoweri Museeveni will try to extend his reign to almost half a century. Museveni, Africa's fourth-longest-serving leader, has had his government change the constitution twice in order to remove term and age limits. This allows him to stay in office ever since 1986. As in the 2021 election, Museveni's main rival is expected to be 43-year-old pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine, who has parlayed his singing stardom to amass a large support base among young...

Refining executives in Europe said that European refineries have to invest in energy conversion projects because of the modern, complex competitors from Asia, Middle East, and Africa. Tony Fountain, Essar's managing partner, said at the Argus global markets conference in London: "I guess we're all playing a game of last man standing to ensure we don't shut down." European refineries are under pressure from environmental regulations and modern plants to increase production of cleaner fuels such as biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel to meet the regulatory demand. The regulatory environment does not just tell us what we can do. This...

The Financial Times reported that ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods asked President Daniel Chapo for assurances last week regarding security at a $30 billion proposed gas terminal in Mozambique before deciding to approve the project. Woods expressed concern about the dangers of a jihadist-led insurgency, which is threatening to disrupt Exxon's plans to build Africa's biggest LNG facility in the north-eastern Cabo Delgado area in Mozambique, according to the report, which cited sources familiar with the talks. The report could not be verified immediately. Exxon didn't immediately respond to an 'ask for comment. The Mozambican Presidency could not be immediately reached....

TotalEnergies hoped to sell the oil assets onshore that were prone to spills last year The deal between Chappal Total and Chappal has not been closed despite multiple deadline extensions Total relied on the cash generated from sales to reduce debt Isaac Anyaogu & America Hernandez LAGOS/PARIS - TotalEnergies has failed to sell a minority stake to a Nigerian oil producer, Nigerian regulators announced on September 23. This is a blow to the French oil giant's strategy of selling mature, polluting oil assets to pay off debt. Total agreed to sell 10% of its Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria...

According to a report by the Italian-American automaker and the government, Chrysler's parent Stellantis was fined $190.6 Million for failing to meet U.S. fuel efficiency requirements. In an annual report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated that Stellantis had paid $112.3 in June and $78,3 in March as payments for shortfalls in 2019 and 2020 models. Stellantis paid a total of $773.5 Million since 2018. NHTSA informed automakers last month that they would not be fined for failing to meet fuel-efficiency rules going back to 2022, as per a law signed into law by President Donald Trump. Stellantis confirmed...

Winston Chitando, the mines minister of Zimbabwe, said that Zimbabwe will ban exports of lithium concentrates in 2027. This is part of its efforts to increase local processing. Africa's leading producer of lithium (used in batteries that power renewable energy technologies) has banned the exportation of ore by 2022, and is pushing its miners to increase their domestic processing. Most of the lithium miners in Zimbabwe are from China. They export concentrates back to their country. Chitando stated that lithium sulphate plant are currently being developed in two Zimbabwean mines: Bikita Minerals owned by Sinomine, and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe owned...

South Sudan stated on Monday that the U.S. decided to revoke visas for South Sudanese nationals because Juba refused to accept a deportee of another nationality. The U.S. announced on Saturday that it will cancel all visas for South Sudanese passport-holders because South Sudan has refused to accept its repatriated citizen's return. Juba's Foreign Ministry said that the deportee from the Democratic Republic of Congo was denied entry to South Sudan by South Sudanese officials. He claimed in an interview with immigration at the Juba Airport that he had been forced there. "Comprehensive Verification Processes confirmed that this individual was...

The Ugandan President Yoweri Mueveni arrived on South Sudan's border on Thursday. This was the highest-level mission to the country since the clashes in the region and the arrest of the vice president raised fears that civil war could return. Salva Kiir of South Sudan met Museveni at the airport. His administration accused First Vice-President Riek Makar of igniting rebellion and placed him under house arrest. In public remarks made at Juba Airport, the Ugandan leader did not directly refer to the crisis. His military had been invited to South Sudan to assist in securing the capital last month. This...

The Mines Ministry announced?on Tuesday that Zambia's copper output last year increased?8% due to higher output from?major mining operations. Africa's second largest copper producer, Africa's Copper, produced 890,346 tons of copper in 2025. This is up from the 825,513 tones that were produced last year, but still falls short of its target 1 million tons. The country plans to increase its copper production to 3 million tonnes by 2031 to meet the growing demand for copper used in electric cars and renewable energy infrastructure. Vedanta’s Konkola?Copper Mines was primarily responsible for the?rise in production last?year, with a fourfold increase, to...

Uganda's central banks said that gold exports in Uganda jumped 75.8% from the previous 12 months last year, thanks to record prices which 'attracted' new dealers. Gold is now the country's largest export and foreign exchange source. It has replaced coffee. In 2025, Uganda will ship bullion worth $5.8 billion compared to $3.3 billion shipped in 2024. Adam 'Mugume', executive director of research and economic analysis at the Bank of Uganda, explained in an email. He attributed the increase in part to the rising international gold price. Uganda has emerged as a gold processing and trading center in recent years,...

London and Shanghai markets have seen a surge in tin prices, which are now at all-time highs. According to the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, the rally is "unreasonable". Last month, it warned all parties to "avoid following trends blindly". Beijing's warning has not deterred Chinese traders from chasing prices higher and higher. On Thursday, the volume of trading in the?tin contracts on Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) exceeded one million metric tonnes. This is more than double the annual global physical consumption. Tin is in a clear speculative boom, which will burst as soon as trends change. The mismatch between...

The company said that it plans to invest $132 million in this year's budget to start the development of what will become Zimbabwe's biggest?gold?mine once it is operational. The record gold prices are helping miners expand production. Gold spot prices reached a new record of $4,639.48 per ounce on early Wednesday. This was fueled by the escalating tensions with Iran, concerns over the Federal Reserve’s autonomy, and lower inflation readings which boosted bets for rate cuts. Caledonia stated in a production report that the planned expenditure, which is part of a total capital spending programme of $162.5 millions for 2026,...

On Wednesday, the foreign ministers from Denmark and Greenland met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Rubio after Donald Trump recently increased his threats to seize?the autonomous territories of Denmark. Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources could be of great value to the United States. In a survey conducted in 2023, 25 minerals that the European Commission deemed to be "critical raw materials" were found in Greenland. Greenland has banned the extraction of oil and gas for environmental reasons. Meanwhile, mining is stifled by red tape and indigenous opposition. Here are the main Greenland mineral...

After President Donald Trump's recent announcement, the Danish and Greenlandic Foreign Ministers will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JDVance on Wednesday. Threats escalated Greenland is a?takeover'. Autonomous territory of Denmark Greenland's strategic location and mineral resources could prove useful to the United States. Greenland is home to 25 out of the 34 minerals that European Commission deem "critical raw materials". Greenland has banned the extraction of natural gas and oil for environmental reasons. The development of its mining industry is encumbered by red tape and resistance from indigenous people. Here are the main Greenland mineral...

Four people who are familiar with the talks say that Germany's Thyssenkrupp may sell its steel division to India Jindal Steel International over a period of time, as they try to reach a deal on the complex business. Jindal Steel began conducting due diligence in October, after making a bid indicative for Europe's largest steelmaker. Thyssenkrupp needs to focus on becoming leaner. The deal will help them achieve this. The people who spoke to us said that Jindal would take a majority share in?TKSE in a first move, most likely 60%. The remaining 40% could be acquired in two 20%...

Four people familiar with the discussions said that Germany's Thyssenkrupp might sell its steel division in several stages to India's Jindal Steel International, as both sides attempt to reach a deal for this complex business. Jindal Steel is conducting due diligence on Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (TKSE) after submitting an indicative bid to acquire Europe's second largest steelmaker. Thyssenkrupp needs to focus on becoming leaner by acquiring the deal. The people who spoke to us said that Jindal would take a majority share in TKSE in a first move, most likely 60%. The remaining 40% could be acquired in two 20%...

Two sources familiar with the matter confirmed on Friday that Antofagasta, a Chilean miner, has agreed to pay 0 cents and 0 dollars per pound for treatment?and?refining?charges (TC/RCs). After protracted negotiations, the deal was reached. It compares with charges of $21.25 per ton?and 2.125cents per lb?for 2025, agreed in December last year. The agreement matches?a mid-year contract between Antofagasta?and some Chinese smelters?at zero levels. Miners pay smelters?TC/RCs for the copper concentrate they turn into refined metal. A severe shortage of mine supplies?in the past few months sent spot processing fees to negative territory, meaning that smelters had to pay more...

A report released by the U.N. Human Rights Office Thursday revealed that over 1,000 civilians died when a paramilitary group from Sudan took control of a famine stricken displacement camp in Sudan's Darfur. About a third were executed summarily. According to a U.N. Report, for months before the April 11-13 attack, the Rapid Support Forces had blocked the entry of food and other supplies into the Zamzam Camp in Sudan's western Darfur region, which houses nearly half a milllion people who have been displaced by the civil war. The U.N. reported that the RSF had attacked civilians during the takeover....

The United States Development lender announced on Friday plans to take a stake to market Congo minerals, which could give U.S. users of copper and cobalt the right to first refusal. The U.S. and China are in a heated competition to gain access to minerals that are crucial to the manufacture of everything from cars to iPhones. Congo has 72% of the world's cobalt reserves, and supplies 74% of that amount. Many of these mines are artisanal. The plans for investment were revealed a day after U.S. president Donald Trump hosted leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo...

Fighting broke out in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Friday, just a day after U.S. president Donald Trump met with Congolese leaders and Rwandans in Washington for the signing of new agreements aimed at ending decades of conflict in this mineral-rich region. On Thursday, Congo's Felix Tshisekedi reaffirmed his commitment to the U.S.-brokered agreement reached in June. The deal aims to stabilize the vast country by allowing more Western mining investments. "We are settling a long-running war," said Trump. His administration intervened in many conflicts around the globe to burnish Trump's credentials as a world peacemaker, and advance U.S....