The diplomatic team of Emmanuel Macron, who emerged top in the first round of the presidential elections on 10 April, is carrying on with its work as if nothing has happened. But behind the scenes, its future and especially that of its Africa unit, headed by Franck Paris since 2017, is the focus of much debate.
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Diplomacy 
Sericom, the Italian construction group founded by the late Guido Santullo, continues to face legal proceedings in France and Switzerland over allegations of bribery. Earlier this month, Santullo's family conclusively lost a long legal fight to recover some 90bn CFA francs (about $150m) it says Gabon owes it in unpaid invoices.
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Finance 
For several months, the Russian paramilitary group has been recruiting and training veterans of the Anti-Balaka and Seleka militias in the hinterland.
The Italian major wants to things to move quickly on its LNG export project in Congo and has already secured the legal changes needed to export gas from the Marine XII permit it owns with Russia's Lukoil.
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Energy 
General Sarr, the head of the Senegalese air force, is looking for a new supplier for four light combat aircraft after a deal with Aero Vodochody fell through. He is likely to pick FA-50s made by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI).
The International Finance Corporation is set to help Sierra Leone improve transparency and communications in the extractive sector, in line with the government's ambition to attract more investment.
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Mining 
Lieutenant General Muhoozi Kainerugaba is the full swing of his birthday preparations, an event that over the years has come to serve as a valuable snapshot of the Ugandan political landscape.
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Politics The two main presidential candidates are counting on the backing of popular singers and celebrities to cement their popularity. Certain stars are not shy in asking for strategic positions in the future government in return.
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Politics 
When the world's fifth largest platinum producer, Northam Platinum, threw a sizeable spanner in the plans of the global number two, Implats, for a $2bn plus merger acquisition of Royal Bafokeng Platinum, it meant rich pickings for Johannesburg's financial and legal consultants.
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Mining 
The French company, which belongs to the Mulliez family empire, is to build the two biggest photovoltaic power plants in the Noor PV II programme which renewable energy agency Masen has been battling to get under way.
State-owned Sonatrach, noting the disaffection of Western firms for the Algerian market, is now focused on doing business with Chinese companies, foremost among them Sinopec.
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Energy On 26 April, alongside Fabrice Le Saché, number two of the French employers' organisation MEDEF international, the Moroccan ambassador to France Mohamed Benchaâboun will attend a lunch with members of Stratexio, an association that helps French companies boost their growth abroad.
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Diplomacy 
