Terrorism & Oil in AfricaIakovos Alhadeff

This is a very nice map by the Economist, which shows the geographical

locations of Africa that face the most severe problems with terrorism. See

map 1. With blue you can see where the Islamists of Boko Haram operate.

With pink you can see where the Islamists of Al Shabaab operate.

Among other things, Boko Haram prevents the construction of the Trans-

Saharan Pipeline, which will send Nigeria’s natural gas to Europe, and her

oil at a latter stage, through Niger and Algeria. Al Shabaab prevents the

shipment of the oil and natural gas of Africa from the port Lamu of Kenya,

to the port Gwadar of Pakistan. China invests 25 billion dollars in Lamu, and

another 45 billion dollars in the economic corridor China-Pakistan. See also

map 2.

The ports of Lamu and Gwadar are two very important points of the New

Silk Roads of China. China wants to bring all the raw materials of Africa to

Kenya, and from there to ship them to Pakistan and China. China will also

use the reverse route to send her products to Africa (Gwadar-Lamu).

Obviously, both the Trans-Saharan Pipeline, and the new silk road Lamu-

Gwadar-China, are a very big problem for non-African countries that count

on the sale of their natural gas and oil reserves. That’s why there is such a

big problem with terrorism in these two African spots. See pictures 3 and 4

for Nigeria’s oil and natural gas reserves.

For the Economist article see:

“Jihadists in Africa: A rising tide”, June 2015

http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2015/07/daily-chart-

jihadists-africa

For the Trans-Saharan Pipeline see Wall Street Journal.

“African Nations Sign Deal for Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline”, του Ιουλίου

2009

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124663481393592621

For the 25 billion dollars that China invests in Kenya see Reuters.

“Kenya says Chinese firm wins first tender for Lamu port project”, του

Απριλίου 2013

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/04/11/kenya-port-lamu-

idUSL5N0CX38D20130411

For the 45 billion dollars that China invests in the economic corridor China

Pakistan see BBC.

“Is China-Pakistan 'silk road' a game-changer?”, Απρίλιος 2015

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32400091