Maghreb Edition

Chad’s president sacks two ministers likely over oil field licensing dealF

Posted On 12 January 2019

Number of times this article was read : 322

N’Djamena, Jan 11, 2019 (AFP) – Chadian President Idriss Deby Itno has sacked two members of his cabinet, including the oil minister, a presidential decree announced Friday. Oil and Energy Minister Boukar Michel and Ndolenodji Alixe Naimbaye, minister for information technology and communication were both fired. The official statement gave no reason for their sackings and named no successor. But ministry sources accused Michel of having sold the rights to an oil field to two different businesses, one Chinese and the other Taiwanese.

Chad became an oil-producing country in 2003 before which its economy was based mainly on agriculture, but 40 percent of the country still live in poverty. Like other oil-producing countries it was hit by the 2014 sharp fall in oil prices. Deby is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. He took power in 1990 and won a disputed fifth term in April 2016.

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Gulf War Escalates as Energy Markets Reel and Regional Fronts Multiply$

The war involving Iran, Israel, and the United States is expanding across the Middle East, with growing consequences for global energy markets and regional security. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure have pushed oil prices higher and raised concerns about supply stability. As missile exchanges intensify and fighting spreads to Lebanon, world leaders are scrambling to assess the economic fallout and prevent further escalation.

West Africa: Jihadist Attacks Intensify in Northern Benin Amid Cross-Border Insurgency Pressure$

Jihadist attacks in northern Benin have intensified in recent weeks, with militants linked to JNIM claiming a deadly assault on a military position near the Niger border and carrying out additional raids on security posts along the country’s volatile frontiers with Burkina Faso and Nigeria. The violence underscores how northern Benin has become part of a wider cross-border insurgency spilling south from the central Sahel, even as authorities bolster Operation Mirador and try to prevent armed groups from entrenching themselves on Beninese soil.

Desert Locusts Stir Fresh Worries in North-West Africa$

Small desert locust swarms recently detected along the western Sahara corridor have prompted stepped-up monitoring across parts of North and West Africa, where shifting rainfall can quickly turn quiet desert areas into launchpads for wider infestations.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.