🔅 From Superyacht Showdowns to Controversial Lumberjacks
Amazon's South African Debut, The Obiangs' Revenge, and Liberia's Forestry Woes
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The Obiangs' Revenge: When Superyachts and Oil Workers Collide
In the oil-rich nation of Equatorial Guinea, the Obiang family has ruled oil-rich Equatorial Guinea since 1979.  Vice President Teodorin "Teddy" Nguema Obiang, in particular, is known for his ostentatious displays of wealth and has faced money-laundering charges and asset seizures in the U.S. and France.
But when a South African court seized some of Teddy's assets, including two Cape Town villas and his jet-ski-toting yacht, the Blue Shadow, he was not amused. He lashed out, threatening to bar South African ships and planes from Equatorial Guinea.Â
Days later, in a totally unrelated coincidence (wink, wink), Equatorial Guinean police arrested two South African oil workers, Frederik Potgieter and Peter Huxham, on dubious drug charges. The men, who work for a Dutch company on ships operated by Exxon Mobil and Chevron, have been stuck in an isolated prison for over a year, despite a questionable trial and sentences that far exceed the legal maximum.
Now, it seems Teddy may be using Potgieter and Huxham as bargaining chips to get his South African assets back. While the government insists the cases are unrelated, the ambassador hints that "diplomatic lines of communication are open to resolve this case."
The U.S. finds itself in a tight spot – criticizing Equatorial Guinea's human rights record while also worrying that the Obiangs might cozy up to China if pushed too far.
As the families of the imprisoned men plead for help, foreign companies and governments walk a tightrope, wary of provoking the Obiangs. With Teddy poised to inherit the presidency from his father, this high-stakes game of yacht-for-hostages chess is far from over.
Rudolph Merab: Liberia's Controversial Lumberjack
Liberia, the most forested country in West Africa, has a new head honcho in charge of its trees: Rudolph Merab. In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Merab laid out his grand plans to boost timber exports and chop down regulations faster than a chainsaw through a sapling.Â
Thing is, before he was appointed head of the country's forestry regulator, the Forestry Development Authority, Merab and his companies was caught illegally logging not once, but twice.
More Sawmills, More Problems?
Despite his checkered past, Merab is confident that "commercial logging has always helped the country." His solution? Even more sawmills, so freshly cut trees can be processed within Liberia before being shipped off to foreign lands.
Merab claims that Liberia could double its previous peak timber exports without harming its lush rainforests, home to chimpanzees and endangered forest elephants.
Merab's appointment comes after the AP revealed that the previous head of the Forestry Development Authority, Mike Doryen, oversaw a system that allowed up to 70% of timber to be exported, albeit off-the-books. Doryen denies any wrongdoing.
The UK and EU, both major donors to Liberian forest conservation, hoped a change in government would usher in a new era of forestry management. We wait and see.
Amazon Enters South Africa
Amazon has launched its online shopping service in South Africa, taking on the country's e-commerce king, Naspers' Takealot.com.
The COVID-19 pandemic may have brought the world to a standstill, but it also gave e-commerce a boost worldwide, including in South Africa. Retailers have been doubling down on e-commerce investments, and now Amazon wants a piece of the pie.
Same-Day Delivery and Free Stuff? Yes, Please!
To sweeten the deal, Amazon.co.za is offering same-day and next-day delivery, with over 3,000 pickup points. Plus, shoppers get free delivery on their first order and subsequent orders over 500 rand, which is just under $30.
Amazon's virtual shelves will be stocked with a range of local and international brands across 20 product categories, including consumer electronics and kitchen appliances.
Food for Thought
“Even as the archer loves the arrow that flies, so too he loves the bow that remains constant in his hands."
— Nigerian Proverb