This week, our newsletter covers a significant resignation in Libya, slow but significant legislative progress for the Milei administration in Argentina, and a high-profile meeting in Nigeria. Our Quote of the Week comes from Azerbaijan’s president, whose embrace of oil and gas seems ill-timed as Baku prepares to host COP29 this November. Read more below!
UN Envoy to Libya Resigns
The UN’s envoy to Libya, Senegalese diplomat Abdulaye Bathily, resigned only 18 months into his assignment. The posting is not exactly sought-after: Many of Bathily’s predecessors quit prematurely or left amid scandal.
When he announced his resignation, Bathily cited a lack of good faith within the government, which grinds to a halt as key players prioritize their own interests over the country’s. He also blamed external actors, calling Libya a “battleground” at risk of losing its autonomy. Bathily’s departure is not exactly surprising, even without the job’s history of short tenures: He failed to get most of his plans off the ground, including party talks and a panel on electoral laws. Few Libyans respected him.
Bathily’s likely replacement is the deputy envoy, Stephanie Koury, at least for the interim. The external actors Bathily cited in his resignation will delay the appointment of an official new envoy.
Milei Administration Takes Congressional Baby Steps
In Argentina, the Milei administration has taken its first steps toward finally passing legislation through Congress for the first time since Javier Milei took office. The president set the unfortunate record of the longest time to get a single bill signed into law, but things are looking up.
The Chamber of Deputies passed two pieces of legislation related to Milei’s economic program. However, the Senate — where opposition Peronists hold the most seats — will almost certainly try to change or kill them. The bill has been supported by some centrist parties, and his chief negotiators are hard at work to get it through the Senate (including Karina Milei, the president’s sister and chief of staff: See last week’s newsletter for a quote on the … intricacies … of their relationship).
Milei’s administration knows it cannot advance its reforms without compromise. As it tries to make do with a scant congressional minority, it will likely make further concessions to the moderate opposition.
Glencore Flirts with Nigeria
Glencore CEO Gary Nagle visited Nigerian Mining Minister Dele Alake in his office in late April. Alake had reason to celebrate: Glencore is a big deal, and Nagle expressed keen interest in investing in Nigeria (under the right conditions, of course).
Not only is this a victory of Alake amid ministerial reviews — and an impending cabinet reshuffle in late May — but also a good sign for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which has been trying to make Nigeria’s business environment friendlier.
To demonstrate this commitment, Alake’s ministry cracked down on licensing, threatening to revoke over 900 from dormant companies. He also established a security outfit to combat illegal mining. While Alake is on the upswing, he has a way to meet the verbal goal of his sector reaching 50% of Nigeria’s GDP.
Quote of the Week
In November, Baku will host COP29, arguably the most important climate change conference in the world. Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev recently called fossil fuels “a gift of the gods” while speaking in Berlin. He followed up by attempting to remind his European audience that they depend on his country’s gas — it’s safe to say enthusiasm for Baku’s role as host this November may be waning.
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