Who holds the cards in Africa?
Share Article
Who holds the cards in Africa?
It’s been another fast paced, upside-down, warped and crazy week in Africa.
By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine.
What a crazy 40 days it’s been in Africa and around the world! While there’s no love lost between South Africa’s ANC and the Trump/Musk show, South African president Ramaphosa has made a strategic 360-degree diplomatic U-turn and has done enough to secure a R90-billion loan from the EU for South Africa’s energy transition.
This most likely explains Ramaphosa’s sudden love for President Zelensky and Ukraine (backed by NATO and the EU) but could put Ramaphosa on a collision course with President Putin and President Trump, who are both fighting in the opposite corner.
Coal a critical mineral
Ironically, on the same day that the announcement of the clean energy loan was made, Gwede Mantashe, South African Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources proclaims (once again) at the opening of Seriti Resources’ new colliery in Mpumalanga, that he regards coal as a critical mineral in the energy transition.
Does the EU agree with Mantashe? After all, they are in desperate need of alternative energy sources in the absence of cheap Russian gas. I’ll leave it there for now.
Who holds the cards?
North of South Africa, Botswana’s president Duma Boko showed his hand and couldn’t wait to seal a deal with the USA and is, like DRC’s President Tshisekedi, betting a fistful of critical minerals on the Trump card. Let’s hope it works out for them.
Bad news from the DRC
Bad news this week is that Alphamin has closed shop at their high grade Bisie tin mine close to Walikale in Eastern DRC. Alphamin has stuck it out under difficult operating conditions and in a high-risk jurisdiction for many years and made a huge success. So, when they decide to leave, the situation is obviously dire and extremely risky.
Bisie is one of the world’s highest grade tin mines and the world and its closure will be a big shock to the world’s tin market, with the spot price already skyrocketing. News yesterday morning was that London listed Rome Resources, who is doing exploration drilling close to Bisie, has started evacuating all staff as the M23 soldiers continue their advance in Walikale.
Talks in Mozambique
Meanwhile Mozambique’s President Daniel Chapo says he is talking with ALL opposition parties to sign an agreement that will end the post-election crisis. Strange thing is that the one person absent at the table is Venâncio Mondlane who instigated the violent riots after the elections. Just before these important talks eventually got going, Mondlane was apprehended by police for a gruelling 10 hours of questioning.
Makes one think, doesn’t it?
Who holds the cards in Africa?