Defence

Senegal
Police acquire Croatian assault rifles

The Senegalese national police has taken delivery of hundreds of VHS-2 assault rifles from the Croatian company HS Produkt to equip its officers.

Benin
Army poised to procure second reconnaissance aircraft

French company Défense Conseil International delivered a first aircraft to Cotonou within the EU military cooperation framework in March. After the signing of a direct contract, it is to deliver another plane to the Beninese military by August.

Cameroon
Following Islamic State attack, Yaoundé looks to increase border defence capabilities

The army suffered heavy losses on its northern border in March at the hands of Islamic State. The general staff is looking to respond with solutions to combat drones and increase surveillance, as well as improve internal coordination.

Central African Republic
MINUSCA pauses south-east patrols after peacekeeper's murder

After a Kenyan peacekeeper was shot dead by unidentified armed forces on 28 March, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic has taken the decision to stop patrolling the Haut-Mbomou region.

Chad, Sudan
The winding arms supply routes from Beijing to N'Djamena via Abu Dhabi

Chad has taken delivery of the latest generation of Chinese anti-aircraft defence systems. They were supplied by the UAE, which is regularly criticised over their support for the Rapid Support Forces that are battling the regular Sudanese army in the civil war.

Ivory Coast
Leading security firm Siga Sécurité entangled in legal battle

A main player in Ivory Coast's security sector, the company is caught up in a legal embroilment with its former French stakeholder.

Somalia
Al-Shabaab, buoyed by military success, cultivates its image

The jihadist group Al-Shabaab is seeking to win the hearts and minds of local populations in the areas of Somalia it controls. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for his part is trying to fight back by finding new allies after a string of military defeats.

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Félix Tshisekedi

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

CongoJetsetter Sassou off to Paris and then Moscow

GabonMahamadou Bonkoungou, indispensable backer of Oligui Nguema

DRCEmirati ambassador conducts his diplomacy outside Kinshasa

Central African Republic
Wagner launches recruitment drive in the north

The Russian group's paramilitaries have begun training young militiamen from the Gula ethnic group to extend their control and secure their interests in the Vakaga prefecture, on the border with Sudan and Chad.

Ghana, West Africa
New pair of generals at Accra Initiative helm

A duo of Ghanaian generals recently took charge of the West African regional security organisation and have been tasked with revitalising it under the aegis of President Mahama.