In the world of crude diplomacy, Africa seems to be preoccupied with peripheral issues. Equatorial Guinea is struggling to halt the decline in its oil production. Former Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s recent resignation threw the country’s long-delayed oil and gas reforms into doubt. Gabon is struggling with declining output due to maturing fields and a lack of major new finds. Libya’s output continues to decline as conflict escalates.