Spotlight | DRC
Strong-arm tactics over Dan Gertler's blocks 1 & 2

Palace Intrigues
Emmanuel Macron, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Dan Gertler, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

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

FranceMacron's new ‘Mr Africa' to start in January

GabonOmer Laviv, Dan Gertler's go-between with Oligui Nguema

Central African RepublicRussian deputy defence minister misses Touadéra on Bangui stopover

LibyaParis embassy diplomat chastised by Quai d'Orsay

DRC
TotalEnergies and ENI dash Lake Albert hopes with their apathy

The Congolese part of the lake might never be explored because the few oil sector players with the means to do so seem singularly unenthused. Mindful of security concerns, they failed to respond to a tender put out in July.

DRC
UN, Houston and Washington on Tshisekedi's US agenda

Expected next week in New York for the annual United [...]

DRC
In the midst of a petrol shortage, "contaminated" shipment causes a stir in Kinshasa

A tanker operating for Petrocam was to supply the Congolese capital's service stations, which have been dry since the beginning of September, within the next few days. However, the 25,000 tonne cargo has now been found to be "contaminated" and "dangerous".

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
Three Lebanese businessmen released after four months in detention

The DRC's intelligence services, the Agence nationale de renseignements (ANR), recently released the three businessmen they had secretly been detaining for almost four months.

Libya
ENI and NOC's former legal counsel still seeking unpaid bills

Mellitah Oil & Gas, a joint venture between ENI and NOC, stands accused by its former legal team of failing to fulfil its financial obligations, which it claims relates to a lack of services rendered.

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
DRC picks star arbitrator for conflict with Dan Gertler's Caprikat and Foxwhelp

The Israeli tycoon has been forced to accept arbitration at the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris, the outcome of which could cost him several hundred million dollars. The name of the tribunal's president has not yet been disclosed, but the arbitrators appointed by each party are now known.

Spotlight | DRC
Why is Dan Gertler transferring his oil assets to new firms?

The Israeli diamond dealer is trying to counter the effects of US sanctions on his Congolese companies and is hoping to get a new extension on his oil permits.