Spotlight | Congo
Denis Sassou-Nguesso prepares for a high-risk final campaign

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Tidjane Thiam, Alassane Ouattara

Intrigues big and small... Every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

CongoIsabel Dos Santos, low-key guest at Denis Christel Sassou-Nguesso's wedding

Central African RepublicValentine Rugwabiza's not-so-discreet absence in Bangui

Ivory CoastTidjane Thiam's secret meeting with French Justice Minister

Congo
The political strings behind Denis Christel Sassou-Nguesso's wedding

Several ministers and ambassadors travelled to Dubai mid-May to celebrate the nuptials of the president's son and Nathalie Bumba-Pembe. However, some important clan members declined the invitation.

Congo
Deputy treasury director sacked, leaving presidential clan fuming

Armel Silvère Dongou, responsible in the government for raising bond funds on the regional markets, fled the country last month. He is the focus of an investigation by the Brazzaville public prosecutor's office into embezzlement.

Congo
Rodrigue Malanda-Samba, linchpin for Sassou in Pool region

Head of the presidency's political department, Malanda-Samba is back in the National Assembly. As an elected representative from Pool, a region traditionally averse to the president's power, he is one of Denis Sassou-Nguesso's key supporters for 2026's presidential vote.

Congo
Presidential adviser Françoise Joly boosts her standing in Brazzaville

Sassou's confidant has managed to have one of her allies promoted to head of presidential protocol, much to the dismay of intelligence chief Jean-Dominique Okemba. Joly may be ruffling a few feathers, but she still enjoys the confidence of the head of state.