South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, stated that the pursuit of resources underlies many worldwide conflicts. He made these remarks at the 11th Africa Gas Forum in Cape Town amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. The forum provides a platform for leaders to address Africa's expanding energy sector.
Gwede Mantashe, South Africa's Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, addressed the 11th edition of the Africa Gas Forum in Cape Town on March 5, 2026. During his speech, he highlighted how the competition for natural resources fuels international disputes, particularly in the context of current global instability, including the conflict in the Middle East.
Mantashe emphasized that resources, rather than ideological differences, are the core driver of such tensions. He provided examples to illustrate his point, noting that conflicts like the one between Russia and Ukraine, as well as those involving Iraq, Iran, the US, and Israel, revolve around access to resources. "You can take any conflict in the world. Take the Russia-Ukraine, at the heart of it is resources. You can take Iraq, Iran, the US, and Israel; at the heart of it are resources," Mantashe said. He added, "That is what we are talking about. We can disagree ideologically, we don’t kill each other, but while there are resources, we begin to kill one another. Because the essence is not the ideology, it’s the resources."
In a related social media post, Mantashe described the forum's timing as significant, stating, "We gather at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, driven by the global scramble for greater access to & control of natural resources, including oil & gas. History reminds us that resource-endowed nations often bear the brunt of such tensions. Africa is no exception."
The Africa Gas Forum serves as a key gathering for industry leaders to discuss developments in Africa's energy landscape, focusing on natural gas and related opportunities amid these broader challenges.
