Gabon is allowing customers to take delivery of oil despite an industrial strike.
The country has reversed its original decision to declare a force majeure on oil exports. This follows a strike by the National Organization of Oil Employees, representing about 5,000 industry workers over staff dismissals and the employment of expatriates in positions that locals are qualified for.
The Central African government had previously promised regulation of employment of foreign workers in energy industry.
Oil exports have not been affected as is the majority of the Gabonese market. Gabon's oil production is about 243,000 barrels per day and its domestic gas supplies have resumed a normal production level of between 50 and 70 tonnes of gas per day.
Meanwhile, in Algeria in Northern Africa, the government faces a popular backlash in the south of the country as local residents increase their protests over oil and gas jobs. A number of groups have clashed with the authorities in towns on the edge of the Sahara desert, where the country's energy reserves lie.
The government has rapidly introduced legislation to ensure that all energy-related jobs are advertised through registered employment agencies and has launched job training centres focused on the oil and hotel industries. However, the local population is alleging that energy jobs, other than basic menial tasks, are handed to workers from outside the region.