Intrigues big and small - every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.
After almost four months in charge of a regional intervention force deployed to restore peace to eastern DRC, the South African is frustrated by a shortage of men and resources. And a chronically strained relationship with MONUSCO isn't helping.
Senegal's new president recently paid a visit to his Guinea-Bissau counterpart, Umaro Sissoco Embaló. But his entourage also maintains close relations with the country's opposition in the person of ex-PM Domingos Simões Pereira.
Senegal's new prime minister has forged links with two influential entrepreneurs over the past few years. One of them is an established businessman in Senegal, while the other is a rising star in the local construction and public works sector.
Ethiopia, Africa's most populous landlocked country, hopes to diversify supply routes to reduce its dependence on Djibouti. The future transport corridors are attracting the attention of international development partners and of the Gulf States, which are battling for influence in the region.
Ethiopia is hoping to capitalise on the global momentum for the restitution of works of art looted in Africa, in order to win over both public and private institutions. This was given new impetus with Abiy Ahmed's arrival in power.
US tech giant Oracle, which has been present in Morocco since the signing of the Abraham Accords, is looking to speed up its growth there. But it has to contend with competition from China's Huawei, which, despite being under US sanctions, maintains a strong presence in the kingdom.