US Investors Target African Gas as Peace Talks Begin

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency was due to host gas-sector decision-makers from Angola and Mozambique in Houston on Tuesday, sharing market intelligence with potential U.S. partners and investors as demand for midstream infrastructure grows. The agency said that growth creates “opportunities for trusted US technologies, engineering expertise and high-quality equipment,” tying those prospects to energy security and economic growth.

Capital and Resources

The Houston meeting put commercial investment alongside the week’s diplomatic agenda. Participants were expected from the gas sectors of two African countries, along with potential U.S. partners and investors. The agency planned to share market intelligence, identifying infrastructure, technology, engineering expertise and equipment as areas of opportunity.

A separate international meeting began Monday in Yerevan, Armenia: COP17, the 17th meeting of the parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The conference was set to hold the first global review of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022 and aimed at halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.

At least 28 African countries released new National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans in the previous year. South Africa and the African Wildlife Foundation were pressing developed nations to help close the international biodiversity finance gap. The annual goal of $20 billion was falling short.

The United States wasn’t participating as a full voting party at COP17. It was the only member state that hadn’t ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Peace and Security Agenda

African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye was scheduled to conclude a U.S. visit during the week of October 19, stopping in Atlanta and New York after visiting Washington late the previous week. His delegation met State Department members on Friday, October 16, following a background briefing at the National Endowment for Democracy.

The Washington discussions covered conflicts in Sudan, Ethiopia and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo; engagement with juntas and the return to civilian rule in the Sahel; and upcoming elections in Nigeria, Kenya and Angola.

Adeoye was expected to meet African communities in Atlanta under the theme “Diaspora for Peace.” On Wednesday, October 21, the delegation was scheduled to meet the African Group at the United Nations, the A3 African Security Council members Liberia, Somalia and the DRC, and the UN Peacebuilding Commission for its 9th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting.

On Thursday, the AU Peace and Security Council and the UN Security Council were expected to hold an informal joint seminar. Its five subjects included AU and UN peace operations, youth, peace and security, counterterrorism in Africa, children and armed conflicts, and natural resources management. Friday’s annual joint consultative meeting was to consider future resources and support mechanisms for AUSSOM, along with Sudan, South Sudan and eastern DRC.

Immigration and Other Meetings

More than 1,790 Sudanese nationals were enrolled in the U.S. Temporary Protected Status program, with their deportation protections scheduled to expire Monday. The Department of Homeland Security told CNN that an announcement about their status “will be made at the appropriate time.” Sudanese immigrants were expected to keep living and working in the United States for the time being.

On Tuesday, Valentine Rugwabiza, Special Representative for the Central African Republic and Head of MINUSCA, was expected to brief the UN Security Council on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic.

Thursday events also included Tech Safari’s Big Move, its first gathering in the U.S. capital for professionals and diaspora members considering contributions through careers, capital or ventures. George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs was hosting Mozambique opposition leader Venncio António Bila Mondlane of ANAMOLA for a virtual discussion on security and intelligence in Africa. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs was hosting a panel on America’s place in a world of global volatility and authoritarianism.