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security oil

Oil development in the Basin But it’s equally plausible that petroleum
Since the first test wells were drilled in the Over the past four years the development could lead to a resource curse.
1970s the region has been perceived as a Mali government has also made This refers to situations in which government
“last frontier” of unexplored West African a concerted effort to invest in coffers are filled with petro dollars, none of
oil. In 2004 the government under president the northern regions. Under which is invested in the communities where
Amadou Toumani Touré injected new energy programmes like the “emergency the oil is being extracted. The impact for
into exploration efforts in a bid to become development programme for the local communities is often land degradation,
a member of Africa’s petroleum club. New a greater distrust of institutions and further
petroleum legislation was passed and nearly northern regions” nearly $180 disenfranchisement.
700,000 sq kms was carved up into 29 blocks million has been put into the most To avoid the resource curse and to map a more
across the country. These were offered as vulnerable communities. Money credible road to peace in the region, the focus
shared concessions to foreign petroleum has been primarily targeted at should rather be on building the capacity of
companies. much-needed infrastructure. local communities to have a greater say in how
So far over 15 companies from Australia, the oil extraction can be pursued and how the
Canada, the US, Ireland, United Arab Emirates It’s possible that petroleum earnings and the proceeds can be more equitably distributed.
(UAE), France, Spain, Italy and Qatar have (Courtesy of The Conversation)
been involved in activities in what has become development plans may eventually contribute Julie Snorek is a Post-Doctoral Researcher,
to peace and stability in the north of the
known as “the El Dorado” of petroleum country. Autonomous University of Barcelona
reserves.

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AFRICAN POWER Mining & Oil Review Vol 21, Issue 20, 2017 | 65