CAR

Central Africa up in arms over AU panel of eminent Africans

Diplomats from the region have strongly contested the rejection of the 13 candidates for the last two commissioner posts to be filled at the African Union. This has sparked an unprecedented conflict within the pan-African organisation.

AU panel rejects Central African candidates

The panel of eminent Africans responsible for shortlisting candidates from Central Africa for the posts of trade and education commissioners will not be submitting applications to the AU executive council. It considers that the profiles do not meet the required conditions.

Ex-PM Dondra's two brothers arrested amid settling of scores

Against a backdrop of political and personal tensions, the two men were arrested in Bangui and remain behind bars. The businessman Sani Yalo, who is close to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, appears to be the éminence grise in the matter.

Central African Freemasons secede from the Grande Loge du Congo

Up until now a "provincial" cell of the Grande Loge du Congo, the Central African Freemasons have met the conditions to become completely autonomous.

Sports Minister Doneng loses power struggle with football federation

Héritier Doneng, who is close to Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, pulled a media stunt by trying to impose Rigobert Song as the national football team coach. But he was forced to back down after the country's soccer federation and FIFA opposed the move.

Central African states scramble for AU trade and education commissioner jobs

Central African nations are jockeying for the African Union's trade and education commissioner posts, which are the region's by right. Burundi, DR Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe and the Central African Republic have all fielded candidates, alongside Equatorial Guinea, Chad.

Russian fuel donation to CAR remains stuck in Cameroon

Russia's donation of fuel to CAR remains in Cameroon, which fears some of it could be sold on the local market and possibly spark US sanctions. Neptune Oil has been tasked with getting it to Bangui.

Armel Sayo avoids extradition to Bangui

The authorities have failed in their appeal to Cameroon to hand over the rebel leader. Having founded an armed group in northern CAR just a few months ago, he has been held in Yaoundé's central prison since January.

The New Guard
Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Central African Republic

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Ivory CoastLionel Kili, key figure in France's Ivorian diaspora

TanzaniaSalma Iddy, environmentalist championing women entrepreneurs

CARMarius Aristide Hoja Nzessioué, Touadéra's man at the UN

Difficult-to-sell huge diamond loses its sparkle for Touadéra

The Central African president is trying to sell a 178-carat diamond that was found in the southeast of the country but, three months after the lifting of the diamond embargo, it's proving quite the challenge.

Bangui drinking water project held up due to Touadéra's missing signature

The Saep Bangui II project, which involves building a drinking water supply system in the capital, was discussed this month in a meeting between Minister Arthur Bertrand Piri and an African Development Bank team.

Cameroon spat upsets plans for employers' summit in Brazzaville

Plans to hold the Rassemblement des Entrepreneurs Francophones, a forum for business owners from French-speaking African nations, in June in Brazzaville have been upset by a rival event by the Economic Community of Central African States’ (CEEAC) business council.