Alliance

Libya
Dbeibeh reshuffles forces in bid to seize control of Zawiya

Taking charge of the north-western city, a hotbed of rival militias, has become a strategic priority for the PM, as it is home to the country's only operating refinery. To this end, he's promoted militia commander Mahmoud ben Rajab.

Ethiopia
Addis Ababa envoys seek to strengthen bilateral ties with Washington

Against a backdrop of high regional tensions, Ethiopia is using a number of means to extend invitations to influential members of the US Congress to visit the country.

Kenya
Ruto revives his religious networks

The president's entourage is seeking to forge closer ties with the Presbyterian Church, which is very popular in central Kenya. In recent months, the head of state has lost support in this region while continuing to win over the western part of the country, including through religious circles.

DRC
AFC-M23 challenges UN sanctions

The rebel movement, which controls a large part of the DRC, wrote to the UN sanctions committee at the end of July to complain about measures targeting several of its leaders. These include the movement's head, Corneille Nangaa.

Morocco
Brussels defends agricultural deal despite Spanish petition

The European Commission has just outright dismissed the complaints made against the new bilateral association agreement between Morocco and the EU. This is likely to fuel further unrest among farmers in Europe, above all in France and Spain.

Palace Intrigues
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Omar-Denis Junior Bongo, Brigitte and Tina Touadéra

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

GabonBrice Clotaire Oligui Nguema expected in Abidjan

GabonOmar-Denis Junior referred to the criminal court whilst at his wedding

Central African RepublicFaustin-Archange Touadéra's wives on a visit to Russia

Central African Republic
Touadéra keeps key security asset Hassan Bouba within his fold

The ex-livestock minister has lost none of his influence with his transfer to the urban development portfolio in the reshuffle. Asked to help secure the recapture of Am Dafock, this figure with close ties to Russia continues to put his networks within armed groups at the service of the regime.

Central African Republic
Plane shipping ammunition makes curious return trip after Bangui grounding

Held on the tarmac at M'Poko airport with an arms shipment bound for Chad, an Airbus A321 freighter was eventually authorised to leave for Cairo before continuing on to N'Djamena. The episode highlights a cooling in relations between the Central African Republic and its northern neighbour.

Zambia
Lusaka courts Wuxi Jiangnan Cable to process copper locally

Senior staff of the Chinese firm, a heavyweight in the electric cable industry, will visit Lusaka in September to meet with government organisations to prepare its entry into Zambia.

Nigeria
Paris again seeks help of billionaire Mike Adenuga to back its cultural diplomacy

As President Emmanuel Macron is due to lay the foundation stone for the future Institut Français in Abuja during his forthcoming visit to West Africa, his team is negotiating the financing of its construction with one of the continent's wealthiest figures.

Kenya
NGO once opposed to Kalonzo Musyoka hires lobbyist in Washington

As the former vice president and opposition candidate has just launched his campaign for the next general elections in 2027, the International Policy Group has signed a hefty contract with an American consultant.