Nigeria: New government convened; finance minister still unconfirmed

President Goodluck Jonathan's new government term met for the first time on 20th July 2011, following the completion of the screening and swearing-in of ministers and special advisers. One individual, however, was conspicuous by her absence from the meeting, namely former finance minister and World Bank Managing Director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

She is the only nominee not to have been sworn-in, some two weeks after being confirmed by the Senate, and after outgoing finance minister Olusegun Aganga, paved the way for her by leaving to head the newly-created Ministry of Trade and Investment.

The official explanation given by the presidency – that Okonjo-Iweala is clearing out her desk and handing over her duties at the World Bank – has raised eyebrows. Okonjo-Iweala famously stalled before finally accepting Jonathan's offer to join his “transformation team” (as the president likes to call his cabinet).

The formation of the cabinet was already long delayed. Despite Jonathan's promise to appoint his team within two weeks of his inauguration in May, it was not until two months later that the new cabinet could be convened.

Although yet to be confirmed, Okonjo-Iweala is expected to run the key Ministry of Finance. Her robustly negotiated terms of engagement are expected to give her a largely free hand in running the economy, which was recently described in glowingly hopeful terms by the visiting UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

The high expectations surrounding Okonjo-Iweala's appointment are understandable. One of the major highlights of her previous stint as minister, under former president Olusegun Obasanjo, was the negotiation of debt forgiveness for the country's seemingly insurmountable arrears. She will no doubt be disappointed that her good work in getting the country's debts pardoned and reduced is gradually being eroded. The country's debt is now put at well over US$40 billion.

Okonjo-Iweala is also widely credited as being the 'brightest spark' in what has been described as an “uninspiring” cabinet, lacking any major figures.

For more news and expert analysis about Nigeria, please see Nigeria Focus and Nigeria Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

NATO continues airstrike campaign on Tripoli

NATO is continuing its airstrike campaign in Tripoli, near the fortified Bab Al-Aziziya compound belonging to Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi. The compound has been a key target for months.

It is yet unclear if Qadhafi 's compound has been hit, or wether there have been casualties.

NATO began its air campaign nearly three months ago under a UN resolution to protect Libyan civilians. The country has been in turmoil for months. In March, the alliance imposed a no-fly zone over Libya when Qadhafi's forces threatened to overrun rebel held parts of the country.

A Russian envoy is currently in Tripoli for talks on ending the civil war. Mikhail Margelov, who met with rebel representatives in Benghazi last week, said NATO airstrikes are not a solution to Libya's violent deadlock.

According to the ITAR-Tass news agency, Margelov has already met with Libya's Foreign Minister Abdul-Ati Al-Obeidi and is planning a session with Prime Minister Mahmoud Al-Baghdadi.

Qadhafi's representatives have said the Leader would accept a ceasefire and political talks on the future of the country on the condition that he is allowed to keep his position.

Speaking about the situation, UK's Prime Minister David Cameron said the mission could be sustained as long as was needed, adding: "Time is on our side."

Sources: BBC News, Fox News, Bloomberg

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.