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The international companies that worked so hard to obtain major contracts from the Libyan regime, and their diplomatic backers and bankers, now find themselves confronted with an awkward situation. The unspoken rule of many transactions in recent years has been to find a member of the Qadhafi family – or more usually their representatives – to sponsor a deal through the Jamahiriya (State of the Masses)

Coming in Muammar Qadhafi’s wake, politicians from the east will have new influence, but despite fears that a regionalised conflict might emerge from the ashes of Qadhafi’s Jamahiriya (State of the Masses) the last few tumultuous weeks have shown they can work with Tripolitanians and other communities.

With April’s presidential and parliamentary elections looming, and a range of contentious issues pointing to a tighter battle than yet seen in Nigeria’s short democratic history, incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan is still hoping to force through the controversial and much delayed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) before the current parliamentary term ends in May.

Provided they are supported by evidence, recent allegations in leaked US diplomatic cables could lead western donors to scrutinise Mozambican financing requests more severely – especially if President Guebuza’s alleged interest in Insitec is confirmed.

Post-Qadhafi Libya is forming itself even before the old dictator departs, with a leadership that can avoid the country splitting up, while new institutions are created and Libyans get back to work. Much of the oil industry is shut in but all sides are anxious to turn on the taps, provided a full civil war can be avoided.

Controversy is growing over the award by President Joseph Kabila of an oil exploration permit in the Virunga National Park, home to some of the world’s last few mountain gorillas. But while international organisations are urging the government to protect the park, MPs from North Kivu want exploration to go ahead in the hope of bringing development cash to the region.

President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz has named a new oil energy and mines minister, Taleb Ould Abdi Vall, who had been head of state mining company Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM) since August 2009.

The future direction of Egypt’s energy industries will remain uncertain while different political constituencies transact the transfer of power to a representative civilian authority

It all seems like business as usual. Australian Securities Exchange and Alternative Investment Market-listed Range Resources has announced a new financial agreement with its joint venture partner Canada-based Africa Oil Corporation (AOC), for a second exploration well due to be spudded by September. This will be included as part of AOC’s exploration commitments,which oblige it to spend $22.5m in Dharoor and Nugaal before Range reverts to a contributing basis. A Range company report says AOC has satisfied its commitments with regard to Dharoor, but still has around $15m to pay on Nugaal.

While the government quietly accelerates reforms to counter pressures that have exploded in Tunisia and Egypt, the state energy giant is preparing new management structures that should speed implementation of major projects

Although the exact number of casualties has not been independently confirmed, sources in Abyei said more than 20 people had been killed in fighting between the Dinka and Misseriya. The south claims the Khartoum government instigated the fighting to put pressure on negotiations and undermine the secession referendum process, which will deliver a massive majority in favour of secession.

The Government of Southern Sudan will not compromise in negotiations with the north over the status of Abyei, and is prepared to take up arms again if the impasse continues

The new president’s appointment of Mohamed Lamine Fofana as mines minister keeps a familiar face in charge of a key sector that provides 80% of Guinea’s foreign currency earnings

Tunisia’s Jasmine revolution, which drove Zine El Abidine Ben Ali into exile in Saudi Arabia on 13 January, was the unexpected trigger that has made Arab populations wake up after decades of submission to personalised, autocratic regimes. But it is events in Egypt that will drive how the ‘Arab street’ and those who seek

African Energy has seen an early copy of the investors’ guide to the new mining bill, which is due to be published by the Ministry of Energy and Mining at the end of January and distributed to companies.