Nicolas Sarkozy’s African “orchestra”. The French President holds the baton in front of a team of strong personalities: Claude Guéant the magician, for the Heads of State; Bernard Kouchner the French doctor, for humanitarian activity; Brice Hortefeux the bogeyman, for immigration; the impassioned Rama Yade, for human rights; Jean-Marie Bockel the left-leaning Republican, for international development. This special feature investigates the “African masks” of each of them as well as their networks of contacts in France’s African backyard.

In the country of businessman-President Marc Ravalomanana II, the general secretaries of the ministries are selected by competitive tender, the ruling class has got younger, the Freemasons have come into the open and the Karana out of the woods. The Anglo-Saxon method of management has changed habits and shifted the traditional balance by moving the centres of power. The Indian Ocean Newsletter has investigated these networks of influence, and the men who will tomorrow dominate the island’s political and economic life.

Indian firms are in competition with those from China on Africa. But they can call on a unique network of contacts: a Diaspora that is well-established in trade and industrial circles. New Delhi takes good care of these non-resident Indians, lavishing out decorations at an annual ceremony. India is the new industrial power on the continent in transforming raw materials, transport and high-tech. In this issue, The Indian Ocean Newsletter has identified the entirely discreet Indian bankers, diplomats, businessmen and intermediaries active in Africa.

Lisbon still keeps a close watch on its former colonies in Africa. Beyond a sentimental attachment and economic interest in Angolan oil or the construction sector in its Portuguese-speaking “back yard”, Africa also acts as Portugal’s lever in Europe. Hence, Lisbon has the ambition of organising the first real Europe-Africa summit during its presidency of the European Union. This focus takes stock of Portugal’s networks of influence in Africa, from the veterans to the new Portuguese “Africanists”.