Congo

Paris reinstates plan for training hub to tackle environmental crime

After a false start, French diplomats hope to have their international academy project, which is to be based in Brazzaville, up and running by 2027.

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

From Brazzaville to Yaoundé, IMF wants to speed up signing of new programmes

In September, the Bretton Woods institution sent missions to the Congo, Gabon and Cameroon, out of concern over their levels of debt and the risk this poses to regional monetary stability.

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.

Denis Sassou Nguesso due to attend Emmanuel Macron's space summit

The Congolese president is expected in Paris on 8 September for a visit lasting several days. He will take part in the International Space Summit on 9 and 10 September, organised by the French head of state.

Commismpex dispute pits Hojeij family against Bongo's son in new twist

In Lebanon, the Hojeij family is involved in a lawsuit with Fabrice Andjoua Bongo Ondimba, the son of former Gabonese president Omar Bongo. At the heart of the case is the failed sale of a villa in France and a deposit of €1.

Swiss trader Mercuria struggles with Marine XI licence

The energy and commodity group continues to lend substantial sums to the state-owned oil company in exchange for the marketing of crude oil. Meanwhile, activity on its own block remains minimal.

French courts set to take 'presidential' Falcon off Commisimpex and its financiers

Six years after successfully seizing Denis Sassou-Nguesso's Falcon jet, the Lebanese businessman Mohsen Hojeij – who is claiming €2.2bn in unpaid debts from the Congo – is on the verge of losing this prized asset.

Debt dispute lands Commisimpex boss Mohsen Hojeij in Lebanon courts

Beirut's chief magistrate has summoned the Lebanese businessman, who is seeking €1.8bn in arrears from Congo, to appear for a hearing in September after Brazzaville's lawyers filed a complaint accusing him of forgery and fraud.

Former ENI executive appointed to presidency post

In the government reshuffle, Denis Sassou-Nguesso has appointed Fabrice Davy Okassa as his adviser on hydrocarbons. The move underlines the Italian major's growing influence in the Congolese oil sector.

Congo River road-rail bridge project prepares to enter new phase

On the sidelines of the AfDB annual meetings, Brazzaville and Kinshasa are preparing to launch a call for proposals for the construction of a civil engineering structure financed with support from Africa50. The project is whetting the appetite of Chinese firms.

Four heads of state due in Brazzaville for the AfDB's annual meetings

The president of the institution, the Mauritanian Sidi Ould Tah, will continue to present his overhaul of the African financing system, of which he gave a first outline during the Africa Forward summit on 11 and 12 May.