At this year's summit in the South African economic capital, the BRICS grouping (Brazil, India, Russia, China, South Africa) agreed to admit six new, non-aligned countries into its ranks. It also voiced its ambitions to create a more structured organisation and transform the block's economic power into diplomatic and financial influence.
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Diplomacy 
Imports bound for Chad have been blocked in Benin since Niger's borders were shut after the recent coup there. This means Chad has lost a fourth major trade route - after conflict in Libya and in Sudan stopped the flow of goods - and it is now planning to boost its Cameroonian channel.
The 9th edition of the Francophone Games, held in Kinshasa, may have been deemed a success when it finished in early August, but an outstanding bill remains unpaid.
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Business 
The drone capabilities of Senegal's security forces look set to increase rapidly. China's Norinco is preparing to finalise a $45m contract with the gendarmerie, while Dakar-based broker Defact Response is hard at work behind the scenes too.
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Defence Since the coup in Niger, interest in the French foreign ministry's activity in Africa has increased. Several changes within the DAOI have just been put into place.
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Diplomacy 
Somalia is hoping to quickly persuade member states of the East African Community to let it join the organisation.
Keen to alienate neither his political allies nor his foreign partners, the Kenyan president is saying very little about the controversial draft legislation.
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Politics 
The Brazilian president is due to arrive in Luanda today accompanied by officials from the ministries of agriculture and defence.
The authorities are preoccupied with a strike that has greatly reduced operations at the Port of Bejaia, the country's second largest. The pressure is on operator Bejaïa Mediterranean Terminal (BMT) to find a solution.
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Infrastructure The powerful Misrati entrepreneur's car imports business Doroub Libya continues to grow.
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Business 
