Ali Bongo

Gabon
A decisive year lies ahead for the Grande Loge du Gabon

With the Grand Master Jacques-Denis Tsanga expected to try for a new three-year term at the end of 2026, internal tensions are increasingly on the rise against a backdrop of financial difficulties.

The New Guard
Gabon, Congo, Mauritania

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

GabonThéophane Nzame-Nze Biyoghe, President Oligui Nguema's mouthpiece

CongoArnaud Aken Elion, the Brazzaville cyber expert

MauritaniaMamadou Ball, Ghazouani's future ambassador to Abuja

Africa
How Eric Freymond worked with an Abu Dhabi advisory bank favoured by African leaders

The late financier and manager of an Hermès heir's fortune was funneling off funds via an Emirati wealth management firm which does a lot of business with African political figures. The number of lawsuits filed against his family and partners in Switzerland continues to grow.

Gabon
Ahead of its congress, the Bongos' old party enters turbulent waters

The Parti Démocratique Gabonais, forsaken by Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, is entering turbulent waters before its end-of-year congress as internal dissent simmers.

Gabon
Lebanese firm Averda wins latest round in its battle with Libreville

The Gabonese state has tried in vain to reverse an arbitration decision ordering it to pay €37m to waste management company Averda.

Gabon
Parisian Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo, owned by Libreville, threatened with forced sale

A luxurious French 18th century building belonging to the Gabonese state has become the subject of a summons to pay procedure for seizure of property by one of the country's creditors. If Libreville does not honour its debt by the end of the year, the property could be sold at auction.

Gabon
Oligui Nguema personally promotes new Baie des Rois business district

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema intends on giving Emmanuel Macron a tour of the future Baie des Rois business district during his flash visit to Libreville on 23 November.

Gabon
Who is Alfred Nguia Banda, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's new envoy to Paris?

The 68 year-old was unexpectedly appointed as Gabon's ambassador in Paris on 23 October. He knows the French capital well, having lived there in exile during Ali Bongo's second term in office, from 2016 to 2023.

Niger
US grants Tchiani's junta a sizeable favour

The US State Department recently gave the green light for the delivery of spare parts for aircraft used by the Nigerien army. These had been under embargo since the coup d'état of 26 July 2023.

Gabon
Republican Guard scandals embarrass Oligui Nguema

Accused of kidnapping a businessman, the commander of the presidential bodyguard unit has been relieved of his duties. The activities of members of the Republican Guard, which the head of state once served in, are creating growing tensions within the security apparatus.

Gabon
Legislative elections: Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's measured silence

In a highly tense election, the new presidential party, the Union des Bâtisseurs, largely supplanted the Gabonese Democratic Party, which came second. All this under the benevolent gaze of Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who left his supporters to fight it out amongst themselves.

Palace Intrigues
Emmanuel Macron, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Paul Biya, Teodorin Obiang

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

GabonMacron's Libreville detour

CameroonCRTV resorts to tight frames on Paul Biya's rallies

Equatorial Guinea‘Teodorin' Obiang extends his US trip to the West Coast

Palace Intrigues
Emmanuel Macron, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Laurent Esso

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

AfricaEmmanuel Macron takes a tour of the continent

GabonBrice Clotaire Oligui Nguema snuggles up to the Freemasons

CameroonMinister of Justice Esso reluctantly refrains from attending former colleague's funeral