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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC RUSSIA

Bangui sparks fears of Russian hand in planned diamond trade nationalisation

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AFRICA

Security, Moscow's way into Africa

Russia's influence on the continent is spreading in step with rising instability in many African countries and tensions between France and many of its former colonies. This trend is bolstered by the presence of the Russian private military contractor Wagner Group close to Vladimir Putin. Its mercenaries have intervened in Libya and Mozambique and are now offering their services in West and Central Africa. Driven by the Kremlin, Russia's security breakthrough in Africa is also backed by the defence ministry, serving Moscow's geopolitical interests, and paving the way for Russia to move into other fields on the continent.

Ndassima gold mine near Djoubissi, north of Bambari, Central African Republic. © Siegfried Modola/Reuters

The Central African Republic is preparing to overhaul its mining legislation. At the heart of the long-awaited reform is the creation of a controversial entity in control of all buying and selling of precious stones. The project has angered many players in the sector, who see Russian interests at work. [...] (940 words)

Issue dated 14/07/2021 Reading time 4 minutes

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Mining

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Aurafrique
Axmin
Comptoir des minéraux et gemmes
Faustin-Archange Touadéra
François Bozizé
Gemmes et minéraux de Centrafrique
International Chamber of Commerce
Kimberley Process
Lobaye Invest
Midas Ressources
Rufin Benam Beltoungou
Séléka
Sewa Security Services
Sylvain Ndoutingaï
USAF
Wagner

Western companies brace for a hit as Bamako launches gold mining audit

The Malian government just launched an audit of the country's gold mining sector. Although the Canadian and Australian companies which dominate the sector are not expecting to be expropriated for the benefit of the Wagner group, they do predict the state will seek a greater share of their revenues.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Mining 03/11/2022

Canada's Axmin sharpens its knives for Ndassima arbitration

After more than ten months of unsuccessful mediation between the CAR state and Axmin regarding the N'dassima gold mine, talks have reached an impasse.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Mining 15/11/2021

Mediation set to continue over disputed Ndassima gold mine

The mediation that took place in Abidjan in October between the Central African government and the Canadian company Axmin over the Ndassima gold mine has been extended into January.

WEST AFRICA Mining 11/11/2021

Australian miners wary of Russian forays into West Africa

The Australian mining and petroleum community in West Africa is keeping a close eye on the growing Russian influence in the region.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Diplomacy 28/10/2021

Wagner's parallel diplomacy embarrasses Moscow

Active in the military and media fields, the private security firm Wagner has been courting publicity in a way that is jarring with the reserve of Russian diplomats in recent weeks and the messages coming out of official channels in Moscow.

Alexander Ivanov (centre, holding a document), representative of Wagner instructors in the Central African Republic, was received at the Central African National Assembly on 15 October 2021.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Mining 15/10/2021

Government overhauls controversial mining reform plans

The Central African Republic is revising its plan for a public company to nationalise the trade in precious stones. President Faustin Archange Touadéra presented a new project on 8 October.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC FRANCE Diplomacy 04/10/2021

Touadéra wants to reengage with Paris

Worried about the spectacular demise of Central African Republic's diplomatic relations with France, the head of state is seeking fresh communication channels. After a first attempt at mediation in Kinshasa, he is considering appointing a new ambassador to France.

Central African President Faustin Archange Touadéra at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 21 September 2021.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Mining 22/09/2021

After false start, fate of Ndassima mine could be settled in Abidjan on 25 October

The Ivorian economic capital will be the venue for an initial mediation over the Ndassima gold mine. Canadian firm Axmin is challenging Bangui's 2019 cancellation of its two licences there. Illustrating the tension between them, the two parties even had trouble agreeing on a date for the talks.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC LIBYA Business 21/09/2021

Tripoli set to retake Bangui's Plaza Ledger hotel after seven-year battle

Zeyad Alzarzour Khalifa, the all-powerful boss of the Plaza Ledger hotel, was in mid-September unceremoniously booted out of his job. The move opens the door to Libya's sovereign wealth fund taking back control of the luxury hotel, and it could end years of bad blood between Tripoli and Bangui.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Politics 25/08/2021

Set up email notifications for these topics

Aurafrique
Axmin
Comptoir des minéraux et gemmes
Faustin-Archange Touadéra
François Bozizé
Gemmes et minéraux de Centrafrique
International Chamber of Commerce
Kimberley Process
Lobaye Invest
Midas Ressources
Rufin Benam Beltoungou
Séléka
Sewa Security Services
Sylvain Ndoutingaï
USAF
Wagner

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As fight against M23 continues, Kigali and Kinshasa wage war of intelligence

CIA follows Hemeti trail from N'Djamena to Bangui

Bangui sparks fears of Russian hand in planned diamond trade nationalisation

Security, Moscow's way into Africa

This article may be accessed by subscribers and e-wallet holders (USD 12.50)

2 options offered to continue reading

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Set up email notifications for these topics

Western companies brace for a hit as Bamako launches gold mining audit

Canada's Axmin sharpens its knives for Ndassima arbitration

Mediation set to continue over disputed Ndassima gold mine

Australian miners wary of Russian forays into West Africa

Wagner's parallel diplomacy embarrasses Moscow

Government overhauls controversial mining reform plans

Touadéra wants to reengage with Paris

After false start, fate of Ndassima mine could be settled in Abidjan on 25 October

Tripoli set to retake Bangui's Plaza Ledger hotel after seven-year battle

Touadéra finds jobs in presidency for former Ngrebada ministers

EU to ramp up influence strategy in face of Russian activism

PM Ngrebada flies in style aboard Prigozhin's jet

Touadéra seeks compromise with Axmin over Ndassima goldmine

Comigem state counter still desperately awaiting privatisation

Ndassima gold sucks in presidential candidates, Chinese investors and Russian firms alike

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Bangui sparks fears of Russian hand in planned diamond trade nationalisation

Security, Moscow's way into Africa

This article may be accessed by subscribers and e-wallet holders (USD 12.50)

2 options offered to continue reading

Create your free account

create a free account

Set up email notifications for these topics

Western companies brace for a hit as Bamako launches gold mining audit

Canada's Axmin sharpens its knives for Ndassima arbitration

Mediation set to continue over disputed Ndassima gold mine

Australian miners wary of Russian forays into West Africa

Wagner's parallel diplomacy embarrasses Moscow

Government overhauls controversial mining reform plans

Touadéra wants to reengage with Paris

After false start, fate of Ndassima mine could be settled in Abidjan on 25 October

Tripoli set to retake Bangui's Plaza Ledger hotel after seven-year battle

Touadéra finds jobs in presidency for former Ngrebada ministers

EU to ramp up influence strategy in face of Russian activism

PM Ngrebada flies in style aboard Prigozhin's jet

Touadéra seeks compromise with Axmin over Ndassima goldmine

Comigem state counter still desperately awaiting privatisation

Ndassima gold sucks in presidential candidates, Chinese investors and Russian firms alike

Set up email notifications for these topics

First visit

Contacts

Tools

Follow us

A website produced by

Indigo Publications also publishes: