If we start hearing about the litany of human rights violations in Chad, it’s not because the US suddenly cares about the wellbeing of those in Central Africa.
According to its government, Chad is nationalizing all assets from the multinational oil giant Exxon Mobil, including its hydrocarbon and exploration permits. Exxon is of course one of the leading candidates for companies actively destroying the environment, but they also line the pockets of many American politicians. Nationalizing assets belonging to Exxon is just the latest development in disputes between the country and the US oil giant.
Chad began producing oil 20 years ago and Exxon has been operating in the country for several decades. Historically, we’ve seen oil nationalization in places like Egypt and Venezuela with predictable results. The US feels the undying need to protect its access to oil, so no government or populace will ever get in the way of access to the sweet dinosaur juice. Western sources say nationalization could “scare away investors from West Africa”, a particularly dangerous prospect at a time of growing global energy demand.
Tensions have been on the rise in Chad in recent months, with unprecedented protests mounting against the government of President Mahamat Idriss Deby. Deby was declared the head of state after his father’s death back in April 2021. Interestingly enough, the son’s succession does not follow Chad’s constitutional line of succession. Opposition political parties called this handover of power a coup d’etat, so it remains to be seen if Chad descends into a full-blown civil war or if Exxon simply pays enough politicians to put down the protests in order to protect their precious oil-extracting resources.
Side Items
Airport Air Taxis??: United Airlines announced plans to launch an air taxi service in Chicago, promising passengers quicker transit from O’Hare airport to the downtown area. Of course there’s already a cheap, publicly-available train that runs from the airport to downtown, but because of government ineptitude this trip can take up to or more than an hour. The sleek and entirely unnecessary new air taxis would potentially seat four passengers apiece, and wouldn’t begin running until 2025 at the earliest. Typical Chicago, investing millions into unproven technology rather than addressing or upgrading the mobility solution that’s been around for decades
Trump Goes Waco: The former president and scam artist extraordinaire held his first campaign rally in anticipation of the 2024 election. Let’s not forget that five days ago he was allegedly going to be arrested for perjury, but I guess the past is the past. Holding a rally in Waco, TX is an interesting choice, considering the city is best known for a government shootout with an armed Christian cult back in the 90’s. In the eyes of right-wing lunatics however, Waco is foundational: a gory reminder of the dangers of gun control and the deadly power of government overreach. It probably didn’t help that Trump has been referring to the 2024 election as “the final battle”, but I guess it’s cool, let’s see where this goes
Toy Soldiers: People who would not be allowed anywhere near a battlefield in an American-led war are active on the front lines of Ukraine, with ample access to American weapons and technology. Turns out the guys volunteering to travel to Ukraine and fight are NOT the best and brightest, imagine that. Many of these homespun groups of volunteers are fighting amongst themselves and undermining the Ukrainian war effort. Some have wasted money or stolen valor, others have cloaked themselves in charity while also trying to profit off the war. I have a hard time being surprised anymore