CAR

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Ali Bongo, Mamadi Doumbouya, Alassane Ouattara

Intrigues big and small: every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

CongoDenis Sassou-Nguesso makes a late-night visit to Ali Bongo

GuineaConakry's failed attempt to organise Sidya Touré's funeral

Ivory CoastThe lineup for Dominique Ouattara's grand gala

UN report outlines scenario for withdrawal of MINUSCA

With just weeks to go before the mission's mandate is renewed, plans are beginning to take shape to hand over some of the force's responsibilities to the Central African state, where it has operated for more than a decade.

Faustin-Archange Touadéra set to meet Pope Leo at Vatican

The Central African president is due to meet the pope on 1 October for the first time, as the papacy remains diplomatically active in the Central African Republic.

Mastermind of Am Dafock attack arrested by Chadian intelligence services

Aboulkhassim Algoni Tidjani, a senior figure in the coalition behind the offensive that took place in late June in the Vakaga prefecture, was arrested in Chad in early September. The former adviser to Faustin-Archange Touadéra is accused of recruiting Chadian fighters with links to the Sudanese RSF.

Finance minister juggles delicate budget equation

Hervé Ndoba hopes to raise up to 27bn CFA francs on the regional market from 14 September, following the failure of an initial issue in August. Without IMF support and facing several payment deadlines, Bangui is seeing its cash flow come under pressure as the year draws to a close.

Bank of Central African States speeds up draft banking reform bill

The governor of the BEAC held talks with the IMF’s director for Africa regarding banking sector reform in the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa.

Security firm Amarante back in interior ministry's sights

The French group is once again locking horns with the authorities in Bangui. This development comes at the same time as the firm vies to retain its contract for the security of the country's EU delegation.

Wagner and Africa Corps figure out how to work together

After months of faltering negotiations between Bangui and Moscow, the rival Russian paramilitary groups have reached a role-sharing compromise: Dmitri Sytyi's forces will keep their security and business contracts, while Africa Corps will mantain a smaller footprint in the CAR capital.

Moscow drives recruitment for drone production

To staff its military drone factories, Russia is now seeking to hire young Central African women through the Alabuga Start programme. In Bangui, the Russian House, run by the Wagner group, is in charge of both selection and departure arrangements.

Touadéra keeps key security asset Hassan Bouba within his fold

The ex-livestock minister has lost none of his influence with his transfer to the urban development portfolio in the reshuffle. Asked to help secure the recapture of Am Dafock, this figure with close ties to Russia continues to put his networks within armed groups at the service of the regime.

Plane shipping ammunition makes curious return trip after Bangui grounding

Held on the tarmac at M'Poko airport with an arms shipment bound for Chad, an Airbus A321 freighter was eventually authorised to leave for Cairo before continuing on to N'Djamena. The episode highlights a cooling in relations between the Central African Republic and its northern neighbour.

Brussels pushes to extend its civilian and military operations

The possibility of a phased withdrawal of the EU's advisory and training programmes in the Central African Republic is becoming less likely within the European institutions. Negotiations are now focusing on extending these programmes, subject to adjustments.

Discreet reintroduction of fuel subsidies strains public finances

The quiet return of fuel subsidies in the CAR is placing fresh strain on the country's public funds, shielding its sole fuel importer while squeezing corporate margins and further complicating talks with the IMF.

Prisca Roseline Mano becomes Bangui mayor with powerful backing

The construction entrepreneur and head of Travaux et Ouvrages Modernes became Bangui's new mayor on 17 June after intense internal bargaining within the ruling Mouvement Cœurs Unis. She inherits an administration burdened by over €13m in debts.

Bangui set to discuss $150m energy project with Rwanda's East Africa Power

A delegation from Rwandan energy company East African Power is due to meet the new energy minister, Edwige Opportune Pouninguinza, in the coming months to examine the terms of a future partnership with the state.