Potential Hot Spots: July 21, 2003

Archives

The Nigerian government continues to fret about its embassy in Sao Tome, which remains surrounded by armed coup plotters. The Nigerians warned them that any threat would evoke appropriate response and began to mobilize forces, in partnership with some African countries

Angola's ruling MPLA party also warned the plotters to put aside their weapons and restore the government to power. The mainlanders' bluster is driven more by potential lost profits, since the situation appears well on the way to being defused as meetings with international mediators continued. Coup leaders had already agreed on the 18th to the possible return of the president. 

The coup has put the $200 million bidding round for nine oil blocks offered by the Sao Tome -Nigeria Joint Development Zone (JDZ) on hold. Interested oil companies like RoyalDutch/Shell Company, ExxonMobil Corporation, ChevronTexaco Corporation, ConocoPhillips and Devon Energy Corporation decided to wait and watch how things turn out. None of the companies admit to having a vested interest in supporting either the coup plotters or the government.

The coup plotters released the last six cabinet ministers. While in custody, they were kept in the Army barrack's VIP lounge watching movies on a wide-screen television. - Adam Geibel 

 

Article Archive

Potential Hot Spots: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close