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2010 Int'l Bus. L.J. 365 (2010)
Sources of Energy Law in Africa and International Law

handle is hein.journals/ibuslj2010 and id is 373 raw text is: Altide CANTON-FOURRAT* et Monesty Junior FANFIL** Africa; Energy; Energy policy; Harmonisation; International Law; Natural resources; Oil and gas production; Sovereignty L'histoire du droit africain est d'une grande complexit6 compte tenu de la grande vivacit6 des sources.' La diversit6 des r6gimes juridiques qui se sont crois6es aux confins des rbgles traditionnelles africaines et du droit positif solidifie les structures juridiques cardinales desquelles le droit africain peut pr6tendre puiser ses sources. L'interit tant strat6gique qu'6conomique que suscitent les ressources 6nerg6tiques est A l'origine des difficult6s auxquelles est confront6 le continent africain dans I'etablissement de son droit 6nerg6tique. En vue de l'installation de leur ressortissant, les Puissances coloniales ont tout d'abord eu recours A la signature de diff6rents trait6s et d'alliances de commerce avec les chefs indighnes.2 Le Professeur Rosenberg3 rappelle A juste titre que ces trait6s avaient pour but, non pas la protection des int6r~ts des indigbnes, mais d'obtenir une preuve opposable A d'autres puissances coloniales 6ventuelles. La France a sign6 diff6rents trait6s avec les chefs indighnes de certains pays d'Afrique en vue de I'exploitation, sans aucune contrepartie, de leurs ressources 6nerg6tiques. Le trait6 sign6 avec le S6n6gal le 26 octobre 1881 assurait aux Frangais la libert6 d'installation en vue d'exploiter les nombreuses mines d'or du pays. Dans ce contexte, les colons pouvaient s'6tablir partout o6 ils le jugeaient opportun. La seule condition 6tait la possession d'une autorisation d'exploiter sous forme de concession d6livr6e * Enseignant-chercheur, Centre des Collectivit6s Territoriales (CECL), Uni- versit6 de Pau et des Pays de I'Adour. ** Directeur de I'ISHEJ - Institut Supbrieur Libre des Hautes 6tudes Jur- idiques, Paris - ancien Fellow A l'UNU-lAS, Tokyo. The history of African law is very complex given the multiplicity of its sources. The diversity of legal regimes that have traversed African traditional rules and posi- tive law strengthen the legal structures from which the cardinal African law claims to draw its sources. The complexity of the subject is rich when it comes to navigating the African energy legal system. The strategic and economic interests that generate energy resources are source of difficulties that the African continent faces in establishing its energy law. In order to settle their citizens, the colonial powers signed various treaties and trade alliances with tribal leaders. Professor Rosenberg rightly observes that these trea- ties were not intended to protect the interests of the natives, but to obtain evidence against any future colonial powers. France signed various treaties with the tribal leaders in some African countries to exploit their energy resources without any consideration whatsoever. The treaty with Senegal on October 26, 1881 guaranteed France the freedom to settle and to exploit the many gold mines in the country. In this context, the colonists could settle in any area they chose. The only condition was to have authorisation to exploit under a concession granted by the King of France (art.7). The Kassana Treaty signed on Novem- ber 25, 1823 with the leaders of Western Sudan countries entrusted to France the exclusive exploita- tion of gold mines of those countries. The treaty asserts that: RDAI/IBLJ, N04, 2010 365 @ 2010 Thomson Reuters (Legal) Limited and Contributors LES SOURCES DU DROIT DE L'ENERGIE EN AFRIQUE ET LE DROIT INTERNATIONAL SOURCES OF ENERGY LAW IN AFRICA AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

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