Japanese diplomats are busy preparing the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development to be held next month in Tunis. Japan has been promoting the event but there have been shortcomings in its organisation despite Tokyo's ambitious objectives for the continent.
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Diplomacy 
Central African kerosene reserves have dwindled to almost nothing, and with the state having requisitioned what little remains, the UN and airlines have cancelled a raft of flights. Stocks of diesel and petrol are also starting to run low, though Bangui is expecting fresh supplies as of August.
Communities living near the 420 MW Nachtigal dam construction on the Sanaga River, some 60km north of Yaoundé, have turned to the World Bank's inspection panel to complain about the project.
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Energy 
The three-star general Bruno Baratz, the head of France's special forces and former leader of the Eléments français au Sénégal (EFS), looks set to take charge of French operations in the Sahel in the coming days.
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Defence The Norwegian crude oil storage vessel firm wants to leave Nigeria to focus on other more promising markets in Latin America. The takeover of its assets is turning into a battle between local and foreign firms.
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Energy 
Neither Covid-19 nor regional instability have so far dampened the ambitions of top-end hotel groups in East Africa and the Horn, where the Big Four (Accor, Radisson, Hilton and Marriott) are continuing to prospect for business.
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Infrastructure 
Truvelo, a leading sniper rifle manufacturer, is under investigation by South African police on suspicion of illegal firearms exports and is experiencing serious financial trouble. It is also dogged by tension between chairman Heine van Niekerk and its deputy CEO.
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Defence Ajay Gupta has avoided arrest with Pretoria's blessing, while his two younger brothers are being held in Dubai over a major state graft scandal in South Africa. Sources say the eldest brother's cooperation aided his siblings' arrest.
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Diplomacy 
Groupe Souakri, the Algerian partner of the LafargeHolcim cement firm and Renault Trucks, has asked Global Health Services Network to design its future private hospital and paramedical training centre in Meftah. The American group will also manage the new complex, at least during the early years.
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Infrastructure 
