Arthur Bertrand Piri

Central African Republic
Discreet reintroduction of fuel subsidies strains public finances

The quiet return of fuel subsidies in the CAR is placing fresh strain on the country's public funds, shielding its sole fuel importer while squeezing corporate margins and further complicating talks with the IMF.

Madagascar
The junta requisitions TotalEnergies' fuel to fly Russian planes

Colonel Michael Randrianirina has reallocated part of the French major's kerosene to enable aircraft controlled by Moscow to land in and take off from Ivato International Airport.

Central African Republic
Final bargaining over Tamoil RCA assets

Under mounting legal and financial strain, Rochefort International's Central African subsidiary is moving to liquidate what remains of its fuel network — as discreet negotiations and rival claims swirl around the carcass of a once-dominant operator.

Central African Republic
Canadian firm set to audit problematic pricing structure for petroleum products

Under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, which has been demanding a review of the pricing structure for petroleum products, the CAR government has commissioned Canadian firm CPCS to audit its pricing system.

Central African Republic
Tamoil RCA's assets at risk of being seized by BGIFBank

The banking group is claiming €7 million from the Rochefort International subsidiary and threatening to seize its collateral assets. This is another blow for the marketer, more than a dozen of whose service stations have already been seized by the state.

Central African Republic
Tender for control of timber exports fuels intrigue

Since SGS announced its departure, several companies have been lining up to take its place, including a new firm whose alleged links with the former head of the Swiss multinational's CAR subsidiary have been causing a stir.

Central African Republic
Russian fuel delivery bogged down by logistical problems

Russia's donation of fuel to Bangui has turned into a proper headache. Between delivery delays, opaque management and tension between ministries, fuel that was supposed to ease the crisis has instead rekindled shortages.

Central African Republic
Political non-profits kick into gear upstream of Touadéra campaign

A meeting in support of President Touadéra's candidacy will be held in mid-July in Paris, on the initiative of non-profit Échos Touadéra, managed by the presidency. Such initiatives have mushroomed over recent months.

Central African Republic
Boganda High School disaster: power company Enerca under pressure

The management team of the public utility was arrested the day after an electrical transformer explosion killed more than 20 people. Amid failing infrastructure, internal conflicts, and ministerial sidelining, Touadéra is attempting to bring a complex crisis under control.

Central African Republic
IMF gives go-ahead for third aid installment

Next month, the International Monetary Fund will announce the release of its third aid payment. It's a victory for Faustin-Archange Touadéra, who is struggling to stem an increasingly worrying economic situation.

Central African Republic
Moscow sets conditions for its fuel deal

The Russian petroleum products that President Vladimir Putin has offered to sell to his Central African counterpart Faustin-Archange Touadéra will be distributed by a little-known company.

Palace Intrigues
Andry Rajoelina, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Emmanuel Macron

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

MadagascarRajoelina puts on fine spread for Macron

CongoDenis Sassou Nguesso to skip his son's wedding in Dubai

Central African RepublicWelcome gardening leave for Minister of Energy Arthur Bertrand Piri

Central African Republic
Sani Yalo, number one financial backer for Touadéra's re-election campaign

As Faustin-Archange Touadéra prepares for the end of year vote, his party activists have raised €300,000 in support of his candidacy. Minister of State Yalo donated almost a quarter of that sum.

Cameroon, Central African Republic
Russian fuel donation to CAR remains stuck in Cameroon

Russia's donation of fuel to CAR remains in Cameroon, which fears some of it could be sold on the local market and possibly spark US sanctions. Neptune Oil has been tasked with getting it to Bangui.

Central African Republic
Bangui drinking water project held up due to Touadéra's missing signature

The Saep Bangui II project, which involves building a drinking water supply system in the capital, was discussed this month in a meeting between Minister Arthur Bertrand Piri and an African Development Bank team.

Cameroon, Central African Republic
Behind the scenes of the chaotic delivery of Russia's oil donation

The story of Russia's fuel donation to the Central African Republic is far from over. After a difficult arrival at the port of Limbé in Cameroon, Bangui may decide to sell some of the goods locally.

Central African Republic
IMF sends last-ditch mission to Bangui

A team from the International Monetary Fund is due in the Central African Republic on 9 January to try to reestablish dialogue. Relations between the financial institution and Bangui have been strained for many months due to a failure to reform the country's fuel prices.

Central African Republic
IMF denies CAR millions of dollars in aid due to Neptune Oil's continuing monopoly

The International Monetary Fund is unlikely to release its third instalment of aid, depriving Bangui of around $20m. At issue is the Cameroonian company Neptune Oil's monopoly on fuel imports and its pump prices, deemed exorbitant.