The Africa Oil and Power Conference taking place in Cape Town this week is a high-powered event bringing together African governments and top executives of corporates across the energy value chain.
From big to small producers, the story is the same — oil revenues flow into the hands of corporates and individuals while the majority of people on the lands from which the oil is extracted remain in the grip of devastating poverty. The Sentry, a non-profit organisation cofounded by George Clooney, spent years investigating corruption in South Sudan and its recent report paints a picture of greed and unbridled corruption through a network that spreads to the UK, China and the US.
In April 2019, the duo met the pope, who urged them to respect the peace agreement and form a unity government. As the November 12 deadline looms for the formation of a unity government,However, the preconditions for the formation of a new government outlined in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan have not been met.
Moreover, technical advisers must have the requisite skills and experience. Corruption has tainted projects of this magnitude in the past.While the Zondo commission tries to unravel the looting of SA’s state-owned entities and the capture of institutions, in South Sudan Kiir has been talking about corruption busting. But the UN, Sentry and other reports point to corruption in which oil revenues are being channelled to government forces.