Hi, I’m Caroline Doyle, an associate editor at Horizon Engage. I am back with another newsletter covering a few things we are keeping an eye on in energy politics. This week, we’re covering dirty politicos on South African election candidate lists creating election drama, a rather sticky campaign issue in Mexico and a significant discovery off the coast of a country named after a coast: Cote d’Ivoire. Read more below!
1. Candidate Lists Indicate an Eventful Election Season in South Africa
The political parties and individuals participating in the 29 May national and provincial elections in South Africa have submitted their official candidate lists to the Independent Electoral Commission. Naturally, the rosters stirred commotion: for the leading ANC, a number of officials facing corruption allegations made the lists (with a high likelihood of becoming MPs), despite promises to cull corrupt individuals from its MP hopefuls. The opposition Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation or MK) faces uncertainty about their top candidate’s eligibility to run: former President Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2021. The Constitution dictates that anyone sentenced to more than 12 months behind bars cannot run until five years after completing their sentence. There will be outrage whether he is denied or approved.
2. Mexico Refinery Stuff
The looming potential shutdown of the Cadereyta and Madero refineries in Mexico has become a hot-button issue on the campaign trail between AMLO’s protege Claudia Sheinbaum and opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez. Galvez argues the refineries — one of which is 109 years old — should close due to health and safety concerns. She also noted that both are significant sources of loss for Pemex, which bled $53.5bn in losses in refining under AMLO. Sheinbaum wants emission measurements before closures proceed, accusing Galvez of wanting to privatize Pemex, the national oil company. The debate has since expanded to include other long-shot presidential candidates, with Jorge Alvarez Maynez from the Citizen Movement suggesting a referendum.
3. Eni Makes Huge Discovery Offshore Cote d’Ivoire
Last week, Italy’s Eni announced a major discovery of 1.5bn barrels of oil equivalent (boe) about 45 km off the coast of Cote d’Ivoire. This is Eni’s second significant discovery following its 2021 discovery of 3bn boe in the Baleine field. The find cements Cote d’Ivoire’s status as an oil and gas producer — the government hopes it will attract more international investors. The government also hopes the discovery will lower electricity costs and the general cost of living for Ivorians. President Ouattara will do his best to ensure most of the new oil and gas stays in Cote d’Ivoire, which will only further boost his popularity (already cresting following the Elephants’ epic African Cup of Nations victory).
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