Abdourahamane Tiani

Libya
Saddam Haftar turns hostage release into diplomatic leverage

The chief of staff of the Libyan National Army has been mounting a broad communications campaign around his role in the release of Russian and American captives in the Sahel. The operations were carried out via Tuareg channels in Fezzan.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 31.08.2026

Spotlight | Chad, Libya, Niger
Saddam Haftar plays murky game to weaken Abdourahamane Tchiani's junta

The Libyan army chief is relying on his alliance with Mahamat Idriss Déby to defeat his rivals who have taken refuge in Niger. He is also seeking to enlist the support of rebels opposed to Abdourahamane Tchiani and present in Libya and Chad.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 25.08.2026

Libyan General Saddam Haftar, the leader of the Nigerien junta, Abdourahamane Tchiani, and the Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby.

Togo
Lomé prefers Rome over Paris for military aid management

Togolese security officials favoured the choice of an Italian operator to oversee a new €5m aid package approved by Brussels to modernise the navy.

Subscribers only Defence 25.08.2026

Nigeria
Abuja steps up push to revive military co-operation in the Lake Chad basin

In recent weeks, there have been an increasing number of initiatives to breathe new life into the Multinational Joint Task Force against jihadist insurgency in the region. This mission has been entrusted to a close ally of Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria's national security adviser.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 17.07.2026

A village near Bol, in Lac province, Chad, on 27 June 2025.

Spotlight | Algeria, Mali
Vladimir Putin, the sponsor behind efforts to normalise ties between Algiers and Bamako

For almost two months, Russian diplomacy has been working at the highest levels to repair relations between Algiers and Bamako. To coordinate its various initiatives, Russia has drawn on several of its closest African allies, from Congo to Niger, via Togo.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 14.07.2026

The Algerian President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and his counterparts Vladimir Putin (Russia) and Assimi Goïta (Mali).

Libya, Niger
Niamey speeds up rapprochement with Tripoli

Envoys sent by Abdourahamane Tchiani have travelled to the Libyan capital to further discuss security cooperation and to discreetly recover Nigerien prisoners. Niger's double-dealing is causing tensions with General Khalifa Haftar's faction.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 10.07.2026

Spotlight | Niger
Tchiani eases pressure on CNPC after three years of crisis

Recognising the importance of the Chinese company – the country's leading private investor and operator of all its oil infrastructure – the junta is showing signs of de-escalation. The state and the company have been in conflict since the coup d'état of July 2023.

Subscribers only Energy 08.07.2026

The head of the Nigerien junta, Abdourahamane Tchiani, in Niamey, 2 June 2026.

Inner Circle | Africa
Rafael Grossi leverages solid African contacts in bid for UN top job

In the running to replace António Guterres as UN secretary-general, the Argentine diplomat can count on the network of African scientists and statespersons he has built since becoming head of the International Atomic Energy Agency in 2019.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 03.07.2026

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in New York, on 21 April 2026.

Libya, Niger
Prisoner swaps and scores to settle between Niamey, Tripoli and Benghazi

The release of a Libyan intelligence officer and 17 of his compatriots was the main focus of Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine's recent visit to Tripoli.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 22.06.2026

The Nigerien prime minister, Ali Lamine Zeine, and his counterpart from the Libyan Government of National Unity, Abdelhamid Dabaiba, in Tripoli on 15 June 2026.

Libya, Niger
Tripoli shores up relations with Niamey as Haftar extends influence

Libyan Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh is hosting his Nigerien counterpart for talks on security cooperation, with Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar expected to dominate the agenda.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 16.06.2026

Benin
Romuald Wadagni's carefully crafted Sahelian diplomacy

The remarkable warming of relations between Cotonou and the Alliance of Sahel States countries has resulted from the work put in for over a year behind the scenes by Benin's new president. Even when tensions were at an all-time high, he maintained close channels of communication with several Sahelian officials, particularly in Niger.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 11.06.2026

Beninese President Romuald Wadagni, in Parakou, Benin, on 4 October 2025.

Niger
Tchiani's lack of options leaves CNPC in control of Agadem crude exports

Despite mounting friction between Niger's junta and China National Petroleum Corp, the Chinese major remains in sole charge of marketing crude from the Agadem field, after authorities failed to secure a credible alternative.

Subscribers only Energy 04.06.2026

Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine meets Xi Li, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing in September 2024.

Niger
Madrid reshuffles its embassy

The Spanish embassy in Niamey is set to welcome a new deputy head of mission in August, Eugenia Simó García.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 03.06.2026

In Focus | Africa
Tracing Alexander Zingman's covert uranium and finance dealings tied to Putin

The American-Belarusian businessman has been active in Africa for a decade and, working closely with the DRC and Zimbabwe, is now steering his firm towards new markets in French-speaking nations. From Togo to Madagascar, the man of the shadows is proving his worth in highly sensitive matters bordering on diplomacy, business and intelligence in close connection with the Kremlin.

Subscribers only Finance, Mining, Diplomacy 01.06.2026

© Illustrated by Ezinne Osueke | Photos : M. Bastripon/Wikimedia ; I. Sanogo/V. Prokofyev/A. Jocard/AFP ; EPA/MaxPPP

Niger
Oil minister Tini out of favour amid junta power struggles

Rivalries between the leading generals at the helm of the state are having an impact on the running of the strategic Ministry of Petroleum, whose minister, Hamadou Tini, has found himself sidelined since taking office at the start of the year.

Subscribers only Energy 28.05.2026

Niger
Junta's third in command weakened by visa trafficking case

Minister of the interior since the coup d'état of 26 July 2023, the powerful General Mohamed Toumba has, over recent weeks, found himself involved in a highly sensitive case involving his wife. She is suspected of orchestrating a vast illicit market for residence permits between West Africa and Europe.

Free access Politics, Diplomacy 27.05.2026

General Mohamed Toumba in Niamey, 4 September 2023.

Spotlight | Libya, Mali
Azawad Liberation Front uses south Libya as back-up base for operations

The FLA Tuareg rebels have woven a network spanning southern Libya and into Niger in order to guarantee the logistics of their conflict with the Malian army and the Russian paramilitaries Africa Corps.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 26.05.2026

Assimi Goïta (centre) attending the funeral of Defence Minister Sadio Camara in Bamako, on 30 April 2026.

Spotlight | Benin, Togo
Romuald Wadagni to work towards thawing Cotonou-Lomé relations

Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé has discreetly contacted the newly elected Beninese president in order to congratulate him. In Lomé, the rise to power of Romuald Wadagni is seen as a major opportunity to revive dialogue between the two countries, which is currently almost non-existent against a backdrop of accusations of destabilisation.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 14.05.2026

A photomontage of Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé and his Beninese counterpart, Romuald Wadagni.

Palace Intrigues
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Mahamadou Issoufou, Christophe Lecourtier

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

Africa-France SummitBassirou Diomaye Faye promotes Youth Olympics, while Samia Suluhu Hassan misses gun

NigerAbba Issoufou, son of Mahamadou Issoufou, settles in New York

MoroccoRabat bids French ambassador Christophe Lecourtier goodbye

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 30.04.2026

Spotlight | Benin, Nigeria
How Paris supports Abuja and Cotonou in fight against jihadist groups

Nigerian and Beninese armed forces, backed by French units, are conducting coordinated operations along the border between the two countries. They are targeting the leaders of the Ansaru jihadist group, which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Subscribers only Defence 27.04.2026

French President Emmanuel Macron with his Nigerian Counterpart Bola Tinubu, in Paris, France, in November 2024.

Libya
Saddam Haftar turns hostage release into diplomatic leverage

Spotlight | Chad, Libya, Niger
Saddam Haftar plays murky game to weaken Abdourahamane Tchiani's junta

Togo
Lomé prefers Rome over Paris for military aid management

Nigeria
Abuja steps up push to revive military co-operation in the Lake Chad basin

Spotlight | Algeria, Mali
Vladimir Putin, the sponsor behind efforts to normalise ties between Algiers and Bamako

Libya, Niger
Niamey speeds up rapprochement with Tripoli

Spotlight | Niger
Tchiani eases pressure on CNPC after three years of crisis

Inner Circle | Africa
Rafael Grossi leverages solid African contacts in bid for UN top job

Libya, Niger
Prisoner swaps and scores to settle between Niamey, Tripoli and Benghazi

Libya, Niger
Tripoli shores up relations with Niamey as Haftar extends influence

Benin
Romuald Wadagni's carefully crafted Sahelian diplomacy

Niger
Tchiani's lack of options leaves CNPC in control of Agadem crude exports

Niger
Madrid reshuffles its embassy

In Focus | Africa
Tracing Alexander Zingman's covert uranium and finance dealings tied to Putin

Niger
Oil minister Tini out of favour amid junta power struggles

Niger
Junta's third in command weakened by visa trafficking case

Spotlight | Libya, Mali
Azawad Liberation Front uses south Libya as back-up base for operations

Spotlight | Benin, Togo
Romuald Wadagni to work towards thawing Cotonou-Lomé relations

Palace Intrigues
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Mahamadou Issoufou, Christophe Lecourtier

Africa-France SummitBassirou Diomaye Faye promotes Youth Olympics, while Samia Suluhu Hassan misses gun

NigerAbba Issoufou, son of Mahamadou Issoufou, settles in New York

MoroccoRabat bids French ambassador Christophe Lecourtier goodbye

Spotlight | Benin, Nigeria
How Paris supports Abuja and Cotonou in fight against jihadist groups

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Africa Intelligence on social media

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About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

Ibrahim Traoré

Virtus Minerals

Paul Kagame

Savannah Energy

Denis Sassou-Nguesso

Abdourahamane Tiani

Libya Saddam Haftar turns hostage release into diplomatic leverage

Spotlight | Chad, Libya, Niger Saddam Haftar plays murky game to weaken Abdourahamane Tchiani's junta

Togo Lomé prefers Rome over Paris for military aid management

Nigeria Abuja steps up push to revive military co-operation in the Lake Chad basin

Spotlight | Algeria, Mali Vladimir Putin, the sponsor behind efforts to normalise ties between Algiers and Bamako

Libya, Niger Niamey speeds up rapprochement with Tripoli

Spotlight | Niger Tchiani eases pressure on CNPC after three years of crisis

Inner Circle | Africa Rafael Grossi leverages solid African contacts in bid for UN top job

Libya, Niger Prisoner swaps and scores to settle between Niamey, Tripoli and Benghazi

Libya, Niger Tripoli shores up relations with Niamey as Haftar extends influence

Benin Romuald Wadagni's carefully crafted Sahelian diplomacy

Niger Tchiani's lack of options leaves CNPC in control of Agadem crude exports

Niger Madrid reshuffles its embassy

In Focus | Africa Tracing Alexander Zingman's covert uranium and finance dealings tied to Putin

Niger Oil minister Tini out of favour amid junta power struggles

Niger Junta's third in command weakened by visa trafficking case

Spotlight | Libya, Mali Azawad Liberation Front uses south Libya as back-up base for operations

Spotlight | Benin, Togo Romuald Wadagni to work towards thawing Cotonou-Lomé relations

Palace Intrigues Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Mahamadou Issoufou, Christophe Lecourtier

Africa-France SummitBassirou Diomaye Faye promotes Youth Olympics, while Samia Suluhu Hassan misses gun

NigerAbba Issoufou, son of Mahamadou Issoufou, settles in New York

MoroccoRabat bids French ambassador Christophe Lecourtier goodbye

Spotlight | Benin, Nigeria How Paris supports Abuja and Cotonou in fight against jihadist groups

Recommended keywords

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Libya
Saddam Haftar turns hostage release into diplomatic leverage

Spotlight | Chad, Libya, Niger
Saddam Haftar plays murky game to weaken Abdourahamane Tchiani's junta

Togo
Lomé prefers Rome over Paris for military aid management

Nigeria
Abuja steps up push to revive military co-operation in the Lake Chad basin

Spotlight | Algeria, Mali
Vladimir Putin, the sponsor behind efforts to normalise ties between Algiers and Bamako

Libya, Niger
Niamey speeds up rapprochement with Tripoli

Spotlight | Niger
Tchiani eases pressure on CNPC after three years of crisis

Inner Circle | Africa
Rafael Grossi leverages solid African contacts in bid for UN top job

Libya, Niger
Prisoner swaps and scores to settle between Niamey, Tripoli and Benghazi

Libya, Niger
Tripoli shores up relations with Niamey as Haftar extends influence

Benin
Romuald Wadagni's carefully crafted Sahelian diplomacy

Niger
Tchiani's lack of options leaves CNPC in control of Agadem crude exports

Niger
Madrid reshuffles its embassy

In Focus | Africa
Tracing Alexander Zingman's covert uranium and finance dealings tied to Putin

Niger
Oil minister Tini out of favour amid junta power struggles

Niger
Junta's third in command weakened by visa trafficking case

Spotlight | Libya, Mali
Azawad Liberation Front uses south Libya as back-up base for operations

Spotlight | Benin, Togo
Romuald Wadagni to work towards thawing Cotonou-Lomé relations

Palace Intrigues
Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Samia Suluhu Hassan, Mahamadou Issoufou, Christophe Lecourtier

Spotlight | Benin, Nigeria
How Paris supports Abuja and Cotonou in fight against jihadist groups