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SUDAN Diplomacy 04/10/2021

New blood, new approach: how ICC prosecutor plans to rebuild case against Bashir 

Karim Khan, the third International Criminal Court prosecutor to take on ousted Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, has adopted a strategy diametrically opposed to that of his predecessors. He also has to deal with delays to Sudan's transition, much of which has been caused by the country's military leaders. [...]
Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
Former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. © Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters
ZIMBABWE Business 13/09/2021

Time is nigh to settle accounts between von Pezolds and Zimbabwean regime 

The European aristocratic von Pezold family seem to be on the cusp of success in their efforts to reclaim more than $200m of state compensation for agricultural land expropriated during the Mugabe era. Their success in this mission would consolidate their dominant position in Zimbabwean agriculture but also, more widely, in southern Africa. [...]
The house overlooking the Gota Dam in the Forrester Estate in Mvurwi, Zimbabwe, owned by Elisabeth and Heinrich von Pezold.
The house overlooking the Gota Dam in the Forrester Estate in Mvurwi, Zimbabwe, owned by Elisabeth and Heinrich von Pezold. © Studio Seilern Architects
IVORY COAST Politics 06/09/2021

The quiet attempts to reconcile Alassane Ouattara with his former ally Guillaume Soro 

Supporters of the Ivorian National Assembly's former president Guillaume Soro, exiled in Europe since 2019 and sentenced to life imprisonment in June, have been trying to reconcile him with the head of state Alassane Ouattara, with the backing of Congolese president Denis Sassou Nguesso. [...]
The former president of the Ivorian National Assembly Guillaume Soro.
The former president of the Ivorian National Assembly Guillaume Soro. © Reuters/Charles Platiau
MADAGASCAR Diplomacy 23/08/2021

Macron and Rajoelina to meet despite continuing diplomatic crisis between France and Madagascar 

The meeting between Emmanuel Macron and Andry Rajoelina, due to take place on 27 August, promises to be electric. The Madagascan president's declared aim of retaking control of the Scattered Islands, currently administered by France, has resulted in a two-year standstill in bilateral relations. [...]
French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to the French island of Grande Glorieuse, in the Eparses archipelago, on 23 October 2019. French sovereignty of the archipelago is disputed by Madagascar.
French President Emmanuel Macron during a visit to the French island of Grande Glorieuse, in the Eparses archipelago, on 23 October 2019. French sovereignty of the archipelago is disputed by Madagascar. © Jacques Witt/Pool/AFP
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Business 26/07/2021

Bolloré, TotalEnergies and Air France held hostage in Franco-Russian power struggle 

As France downgrades its relations with the Central African Republic (CAR), which it sees as too much under Russian influence, the authorities there are exerting pressure on French companies still active in the country. [...]

The then Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Firmin Ngrebada (centre), salutes his troops as a Russian-made support helicopter flies overhead on the road between Boali and Bangui on 10 January 2021.
The then Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Firmin Ngrebada (centre), salutes his troops as a Russian-made support helicopter flies overhead on the road between Boali and Bangui on 10 January 2021. © Florent Vergnes/AFP
NORTH AFRICA Diplomacy 19/07/2021

How ICMPD, a champion of migrant 'assisted return', became an EU project manager 

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) is involved in all stages of European migration policy, from conducting studies to lobbying and tendering for the provision of border surveillance and protection equipment for local border guards. [...]
The director general of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Michael Spindelegger.
The director general of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) Michael Spindelegger. © Hans Punz/EPA/MaxPPP
SOUTH AFRICA Business 12/07/2021

Real estate, oil, finance: a dive into the heart of Durban's property kings, the Rosenbergs 

Property tycoon Terry Rosenberg's real estate empire is as strong as ever in South Africa's third largest city, Durban. Helped by his son Marc Rosenberg, he has expanded the family office Oakbrook Investments and investment arm Multiply as far as Swizterland, Mauritius, Dubai and the UK. [...]
South African businessman Terry Rosenberg, president of Multiply Group.
South African businessman Terry Rosenberg, president of Multiply Group. © Multiply Group
DRC UNITED STATES Diplomacy 05/07/2021

Texas investment firm Bridgeway plays humanitarian privateer for the State Department in DRC 

Texan financier and committed Christian John Montgomery devotes part of his investment company Bridgeway's profits to hunting down and forcing surrender on members of the Allied Democratic Forces, an armed group active on the border between the DRC and Uganda aligned to the Islamic State. [...]
Democratic Republic of Congo military personnel (FARDC) patrol against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU) rebels near Beni in North-Kivu province, December 31, 2013.
Democratic Republic of Congo military personnel (FARDC) patrol against the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the National Army for the Liberation of Uganda (NALU) rebels near Beni in North-Kivu province, December 31, 2013. © Kenny Katombe/Reuters
AFRICA Diplomacy 28/06/2021

Lourenço, Buhari, Sall and co. handpick their envoys to the House of Saud 

Nurturing relations with the leading Gulf power is an absolute necessity for all African presidents seeking financial and political support in the Arab world. To develop their lines of communications with the Wahhabi monarchy, African heads of state choose personalities of the first order. [...]
The new Angolan ambassador to Saudi Arabia Frederico Manuel dos Santos e Silva Cardoso (left) met with the Saudi Minister of Protocol Affairs Mashari bin Ali bin Naheet on 25 May 2021.
The new Angolan ambassador to Saudi Arabia Frederico Manuel dos Santos e Silva Cardoso (left) met with the Saudi Minister of Protocol Affairs Mashari bin Ali bin Naheet on 25 May 2021. © Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/Twitter
CHAD Politics 14/06/2021

The unauthorised life story of "Kaka", N'Djamena's new strongman 

A halo of mystery surrounds Mahamat Idriss Déby, alias "Kaka", son of Idriss Déby and, since his father's death on 18 April, Chad's new head of state. An official biography has been widely distributed since he came to power but needs to be treated with caution with regard to his age, his education and training and his feats on the battlefield. [...]
Mahamat Idriss Deby delivering a message at the presidential palace in N'Djamena on 27 April 2021.
Mahamat Idriss Deby delivering a message at the presidential palace in N'Djamena on 27 April 2021. © Brahim Adji/Tchad Presidential Palace/AFP
MOROCCO Politics 07/06/2021

From Western Sahara to broadcasting, royal adviser El Himma in sole charge at the Palace 

Mohammed VI's political adviser Fouad Ali El Himma beat the king's foreign affairs advisers to the punch when he initiated the confrontational approach currently being taken by Morocco on Western Sahara. He is also set to outflank his great rival, the king's private secretary Mounir El Majidi, on reforming the TV broadcasting sector. [...]
Fouad Ali El Himma, during the reception offered to King Mohammed VI by Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali, October 19, 2016.
Fouad Ali El Himma, during the reception offered to King Mohammed VI by Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali, October 19, 2016. © Story & Brands
DRC Business 31/05/2021

How Orrick's former star Africa lawyer dodged sexual abuse allegations and rebuilt his practice 

Star attorney Pascal Agboyibor was abruptly fired by US law firm Orrick in 2019 amid allegations of rape and sexual harassment which are still being investigated by the Paris bar association. The Togolose lawyer, who denies the accusations, has quickly bounced back in DRC, where his own new firm has won lucrative government contracts. [...]
Attorney Pascal Agboyibor founded Asafo & Co shortly after being ousted from the US firm Orrick in 2019.
Attorney Pascal Agboyibor founded Asafo & Co shortly after being ousted from the US firm Orrick in 2019. © Asafo & Co
GABON Politics 24/05/2021

Private jets, offshore fields, football, magazines: the presidential palace's untraceable holdings 

A string of offshore companies with no identified owner have been linked to transactions within the presidential couple's entourage. All were incorporated by the same financiers who also happen to be associates of Gabon's sovereign wealth fund. [...]
Gabonese President Ali Bongo getting off his plane during a visit to Beijing, 2018.
Gabonese President Ali Bongo getting off his plane during a visit to Beijing, 2018. © Jin Liwang/Xinhua News Agency/Newscom/MaxPPP

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