In Focus | DRC
Rabbi Moyal in last-ditch attempt at mediation between Dan Gertler and Félix Tshisekedi

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Alassane Ouattara, Félix Tshisekedi, Vincent de Paul Massassa

Intrigues big and small: every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Congo Influential Julienne Johnson becomes an official adviser to her father

Ivory Coast Ouattara's former special adviser Serey-Eiffel back in Abidjan

DRC Tshisekedi's favourite luxury hotels in the Big Apple

Gabon Vincent de Paul Massassa makes a final, quick trip to oil ministry

DRC
Ex-Bell Pottinger staff lend helping hand to Kinshasa

Increasingly concerned about the advance of the M23 rebels in the east of the country, DR Congo president Felix Tshisekedi has been scouring for help abroad to push his case.

DRC
Rabbi Moyal gives Tshisekedi and his team plenty to feast on at New York dinner

A key player in the agreement between Israeli tycoon Dan Gertler and Kinshasa, Rabbi Moyal invited Félix Tshisekedi and his associates out to dine on 22 September in New York.

DRC, Israel
Israel quietly weaving cooperation deals with DR Congo on drones and cybersecurity

The head of Israeli intelligence David Barnea is trying to lay new foundations for a security intelligence partnership with DR Congo, in an attempt to break away from past scandals in which his predecessor and Israeli businessmen were involved regarding the African state.

DRC
Dan Gertler made a secret trip to meet Félix Tshisekedi before Antony Blinken's arrival

Breaking news published on 11/08/22 at 18:05 - Less than 24 hours before the arrival in the DRC of the head of US diplomacy Antony Blinken, Dan Gertler visited Kinshasa. With great discretion, Washington is preparing files for possible sanctions targeting advisers of President Tshisekedi involved in the agreement with the Israeli billionaire.

DRC, Israel, United States
Dan Gertler under FBI investigation

U.S. authorities are investigating possible circumvention of the sanctions they have put in place against mining magnate Dan Gertler in DRC. Dan Gertler claims he knows nothing about these investigations and has complied with the sanctions.

DRC
Semlex angles for biometric passport contract

The Belgian company Semlex has activated its contacts, particularly at the foreign ministry, in the hope of winning the tender call ahead of nine other firms.

Spotlight | DRC, Rwanda
Diplomatic cat and mouse from New York to Paris over Rwanda's alleged support for M23 rebels

Western capitals and the United Nations remain wary of dealing with the evidence that they say they have concerning Rwanda's support for the rebel M23 movement, much to the displeasure of Kinshasa.

Nigeria
US pockets $16m after settlement with owner of trader Aluko's former villa

US authorities have struck a deal with Sarbonne Estate that grants it ownership of a luxury Californian villa that belonged to the Nigerian trader Kola Aluko. The real estate firm will pay $16m for the privilege.

Spotlight | DRC
Deal within deal allows tycoon Dan Gertler to save €130m in DRC settlement

The Congolese authorities signed a second, more restricted and secretive agreement with Dan Gertler last month, in addition to the major settlement negotiated in February. Africa Intelligence is able to detail the contents of this new deal, which concerns the oil assets previously run by the businessman.

DRC, United States
Tshisekedi caught between Dan Gertler and Washington

On the one hand, the mining magnate Dan Gertler is plying pressure on Kinshasa to enact the compromise he signed last month as fast as possible, while on the other, the US wants Felix Tshisekedi's government to re-evaluate the terms of the agreement it deems very unfavourable.

Tus Airways flights add towards normalisation of Qatari-Israeli relations

While Qatar has yet to enter the Abraham Accords, the FIFA World Cup has provided for an unprecedented Qatari-Israeli rapprochement, with Israeli fans in Doha for the event. Many have come on flights run by Tus Airways.