Equatorial Guinea, one of the better-off countries in the world with a GDP of $ 11 246 but grinding poverty for most, went to the polls this November. The longest-serving President in the world, Theodore Obiang, won over 90% of the vote. At least, that is what the count shows. And the vast oil riches will continue to trickle down in minute quantities to the majority of the population. 

In Mozambique, the ruling Frelimo party is edging further towards authoritarianism. Perhaps the presence of a regional and a French-backed Rwandese military presence emboldens the rulers - a rebellion in the Cabo Delgado province, the forgotten north, had been hi-jacked by Islamic extremists. Various interest groups, not least oil and mineral companies who disowned local communities to exploit the underground wealth, called for intervention. For years nobody could be bothered by the plight of marginalized, dispossessed communities, nobody would spend a cent on improving their lot of urging better governance, but now that it had become a military conflict, money is no problem. 

A few miles north, in the Tanzanian south, a similar pattern is being staged. Here, too, foreign oil companies, Norwegian in this case and not French as in Mozambique, feel their job is to get the oil to market, and governance and the well-being of the people is the job of the Government. We wait for the problems to begin. 

In the peaceful Sao Tome and Principe islands, an attempt to overthrow the government was narrowly averted. Once again, oil exploration comes into the mix, although here, at least, there is a parliamentary democracy that enables political voices to be heard. Still, political control will probably be lucrative once the oil fields come into production. 

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), an almost forgotten rebel group, the notorious M23, is once again on the march, despite countries of the region once again promising joint action. In a past incarnation when they were supported by Rwanda, the M23 group was reported to have exported some 500 tons of gold through a private customs post to buyers in the Arab Gulf. 

It is notorious that the extractive industries generate social and civilian collateral damage. In the DRC, bad governance and an almost unimaginable treasure trove of minerals led groups like M23 operating slave gangs, including children, to dig for the metals used in your smartphone and laptop batteries. 

I do some language work for several major mining companies operating, amongst others, in the DRC. I am privy to the commitments to avoid the exploitation of vulnerable populations and to build and develop local communities instead of exploiting them. Several industry initiatives to ensure that cobalt, for instance, is sourced in a responsible and ethical way are current.

But unless Governments root out unscrupulous buyers, until producers of smartphones and other electronics refuse tainted minerals, and unless Governments are held to democratic standards, oil and mineral wealth will remain a curse.