Page 14 - AfrOil Week 25

AfrOil PERFORMANCE AfrOil

The state-run body had intended to import a he noted. EPSE had been scheduled to take
total of 148 tonnes of gasoline between March delivery of 220 tonnes of jet fuel during the
and May, bringing in 50 tonnes in March, 49 March-May interval, including 71 tonnes in
tonnes in April and 49 tonnes in May, he said. March, 74 tonnes in April and 75 tonnes in May.
Instead, he stated, it imported 126 tonnes, or In the end, though, it imported only 29 tonnes
45 tonnes in March, 39 tonnes in April and 42 of jet fuel in March and then did not import any
tonnes in May. at all in April or May.
Tadesse reported a similar drop in diesel “We used to bring two vessels of jet fuel [per
imports. EPSE had originally planned to import month],” Tadesse told The Reporter. “In March,
679 tonnes of diesel in the same three-month we had only one fuel tanker carrying jet fuel. In
period, including 228 tonnes in March, 224 April and May, we did not order for any ship-
tonnes in April and 227 tonnes in May, he said. ment. We have been using the jet fuel imported
Instead, it imported 607 tonnes, or 210 tonnes in March.” The country has not needed to buy
in March, 202 tonnes in April and 195 tonnes any more jet fuel because the national airline,
in May. Ethiopian Airlines, has grounded 90 of its planes
Jet fuel imports sank even more dramatically, and is only operating cargo flights, he said. ™

POLICY
Sisi: Egypt has right to intervene in Libya

EGYPT/LIBYA AMIDST high regional tensions over Turkey’s after receiving “direct threats” from “terrorist
intervention in Libya, Egypt’s President Abdel militias and mercenaries” supported by foreign
Fattah al-Sisi said on June 20 that his country has countries, in an apparent reference to some
a legitimate right to intervene in the situation armed groups loyal to the GNA and supported
facing its North African neighbour and ordered by Turkey.
his army to be ready to carry out any mission The main aims of any intervention would
that proves necessary. include protecting Egypt’s 1,200-km (746-mile)
He warned forces loyal to the internationally western border, helping achieve a ceasefire, and
recognised Government of National Accord restoring stability and peace in Libya, he said.
(GNA) in Tripoli, which is militarily backed by The UAE and Saudi Arabia expressed sup-
Turkey, not to cross the current Sirte-Jufra front- port for Egypt’s desire to protect its security and
line with Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan borders.
National Army (LNA), which is supported by Earlier this month, Egypt called for a cease-
Russia—though in a covert fashion as Moscow fire in Libya as part of a plan that also proposed
has not acknowledged the provision of military an elected leadership council for the country.
assistance including fighter planes—as well as While the US, Russia and the UAE welcomed
Egypt and other countries including the United the plan, Turkey dismissed it as an attempt to
Arab Emirates. Turkey’s support for the GNA save Haftar’s skin following his battlefield losses.
ended a 14-month assault on Tripoli by forces Egypt, added Sisi, has always been reluctant
loyal to Haftar. to intervene in Libya and wants a political solu-
“Any direct intervention from the Egyptian tion to its conflict, but added that “the situation
state has now acquired international legiti- now is different”.
macy,” Sisi told an audience, as reported by after “If some people think that they can cross the
inspecting military units at an air base near the Sirte-Jufra frontline, this is a red line for us,” he
border with Libya. said before an audience that included some Lib-
He said Egypt has the right to defend itself yan tribal leaders. ™

Armed conflict has hurt Libya’s oil industry (Photo: The Maghreb Times)

P14 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 25 24•June•2020