Gabon: Parliament adopts new Constitution

The Gabonese parliament, meeting in congress, adopted the new Constitution by an overwhelming majority. Out of 229 voters, 204 voted in favor, 25 against. There were no abstentions. The revision was initiated by President Ali Bongo. The objective is to fill legal gaps, the government argues. This is a step backwards for democracy, denounce minority […]

Oil-for-roads: South Sudan allocates 10,000 bpd to Chinese companies

The government of cash-strapped South Sudan has agreed to allocate 10,000 barrels of its crude oil per day to Chinese firms to build roads in the country. Chinese companies will build two highways in exchange, the government said in a statement after a cabinet meeting in Juba last weekend. According to deputy information minister, Lily […]

US Spending Legislation Incorporates Sahara; Morocco Applauds

President Donald Trump on Friday signed into law the 2019 appropriation legislation that stipulates explicitly that the assistance funds allocated to Morocco will also benefit the Sahara. Morocco welcomed the text, which recognizes Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara southern provinces, as it is unequivocally pro-Morocco and unusually forthcoming on US development funds for the Sahara. […]