DGSE

Ghana
Mahama seeks to strengthen the Accra–Paris axis

Since his return to power a year ago, the Ghanaian president has stepped up overtures to France. From offers to mediate with Sahelian juntas to signals aimed at French business circles, Accra is carefully managing its position between an assertive sovereigntist line and balanced diplomacy.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 05.03.2026

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris on 30 October 2025.

Spotlight | Niger
How Emmanuel Macron's intense lobbying drove Niamey's backtrack on uranium sale

For nearly four months, the Élysée Palace has been stepping up its efforts to prevent the sale of 1,000 tonnes of yellowcake from the Arlit mine, long operated by the French group Orano. These efforts involved discreet missions to Lomé and confidential exchanges between Emmanuel Macron and Faure Gnassingbé in Paris.

Subscribers only Energy, Diplomacy 18.02.2026

View of Tamgak open-pit uranium mine from Areva Somair site in Arlit, Niger on 25 September 2013.

Senegal
Paris and Dakar strengthen their intelligence cooperation

El Hadji Daouda Niang, head of the national intelligence agency, made a low-key visit to France at the end of November. This trip followed that of his French counterpart, Nicolas Lerner, to the Senegalese capital four months earlier.

Subscribers only Defence 23.12.2025

The headquarters of the General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) in Paris in 2015.

Mali
With the junta in trouble, France weighs up options to evacuate its nationals

As the situation in the Bamako area continues to deteriorate, the French military command has begun working on several plans to repatriate French citizens living in the country, yet there are some major hurdles to overcome.

Subscribers only Defence 21.11.2025

An Airbus A400M at Le Bourget air show in France, 17 June 2025.

Cameroon
Government makes vain attempts at opening dialogue with Anglophone separatists

After years of playing the security response card, the secretary-general to president Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh has made a timid overture to the leaders of the northwest and southwest regions, namely Sisiku Ayuk Tabe. The aim is to counter Issa Tchiroma Bakary's growing influence in these English-speaking regions.

Subscribers only Politics 07.11.2025

Spotlight | Mali
From north to west, Assimi Goita under pressure from an evolving Jihad

Faced with declining Russian aid, the junta finds itself increasingly isolated as it faces the advance of the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims and its allies. Hoping to bring down the government, the terrorist group is seeking to refine its political agenda.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 30.09.2025

Junta leader Assimi Goïta during his state visit to Moscow on 23 June 2025.

Spotlight | Senegal
Secret talks between Dakar and Paris spy chiefs after military exit

France's DGSE foreign intelligence service chief Nicolas Lerner met with Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye in Paris last month after making a secret visit to Dakar to meet his counterpart there. Lerner is particularly worried about the Sahel jihadist threat spreading to coastal countries in West Africa.

Subscribers only Defence 10.09.2025

President Emmanuel Macron welcomes President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at the Élysée Palace in Paris, 27 August 2025.

Spotlight | West Africa
From Lomé to Abidjan, new boss breathing life into French foreign intelligence service

At the head of the foreign intelligence service for a little under two years, Nicolas Lerner is trying to develop new contacts in West Africa. In a region undergoing great change, he is relying in particular on his good relations with Lomé and Rabat.

Subscribers only Defence 22.08.2025

Nicolas Lerner, Director of the DGSE, at the Élysée Palace in Paris, April 2024.

Africa
New French chief of defence staff General Mandon's African involvement

A key player in Macron's inner circle, General Fabien Mandon had a hand in several strategic issues on the continent when he was military chief of staff to the French president.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 19.08.2025

French Chief of Defence Staff Fabien Mandon (right), alongside President Macron in Paris, 22 June 2025.

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

The Trump administration's diplomats, keen to distance themselves from the stance adopted under Joe Biden, are attempting to rebuild ties with the Sahel juntas. The strategy they are developing includes a transactional dimension.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 30.06.2025

Two Nigerien soldiers hold the American and Nigerien flags at Air Base 101 in Niamey in June 2024.

Spotlight | Senegal
From Abidjan to Beijing, Macky Sall spins a web for the post of UN secretary general

While not yet officially a candidate, the former Senegalese president still sees himself as a potential successor to António Guterres at the head of the United Nations. But a number of obstacles lie in his way.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 30.05.2025

The then Senegalese President Macky Sall in New York, on 19 September 2023.

Algeria
Macron revives plans for Tebboune state visit

During his upcoming visit to Algiers, French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin is expected to present the Algerian president with an official invitation to make a state visit to France.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 03.04.2025

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune in Algiers in August 2022.

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

Amid tensions in the run-up to the presidential election, Abidjan has been looking to cyberintelligence specialists for help in boosting the capacities of its security services. As part of this drive, the gendarmerie recently procured two IMSI-catcher surveillance systems from an Israeli supplier.

Subscribers only Defence 06.03.2025

Ivorian Defence Minister Téné Birahima Ouattara in Port-Bouet military camp, Abidjan, on 20 February 2025.

Chad
French army withdrawal leaves subcontractors in the dark

Since the French army left Chad on 31 January, a number of French and foreign subcontractors in N'Djamena have been wondering about their future. A handful of them may end up staying, however, to carry out operations for the Chadian army.

Subscribers only Defence 17.02.2025

Trucks carrying French army vehicles leaving the former Fort Lamy air base in N'Djamena, Chad, 29 January 2025.

Inner circle | Nigeria
The tight and dedicated team around head of national security Nuhu Ribadu

Placed at the head of Nigeria's security apparatus, Nuhu Ribadu is meddling in political issues and attempting to deal with the multiple threats facing the country. To do this, he calls on a researcher, a number of specialists and his network in Western capitals.

Subscribers only Defence 14.02.2025

Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja, Nigeria, 10 December 2014.

Ghana
Mahama seeks to strengthen the Accra–Paris axis

Spotlight | Niger
How Emmanuel Macron's intense lobbying drove Niamey's backtrack on uranium sale

Senegal
Paris and Dakar strengthen their intelligence cooperation

Mali
With the junta in trouble, France weighs up options to evacuate its nationals

Cameroon
Government makes vain attempts at opening dialogue with Anglophone separatists

Spotlight | Mali
From north to west, Assimi Goita under pressure from an evolving Jihad

Spotlight | Senegal
Secret talks between Dakar and Paris spy chiefs after military exit

Spotlight | West Africa
From Lomé to Abidjan, new boss breathing life into French foreign intelligence service

Africa
New French chief of defence staff General Mandon's African involvement

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

Spotlight | Senegal
From Abidjan to Beijing, Macky Sall spins a web for the post of UN secretary general

Algeria
Macron revives plans for Tebboune state visit

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

Chad
French army withdrawal leaves subcontractors in the dark

Inner circle | Nigeria
The tight and dedicated team around head of national security Nuhu Ribadu

Algeria
Algiers looking to renew military ties with Bamako and Niamey

Chad
CAE Aviation, collateral victim of withdrawal of French forces

Spotlight | Morocco, Niger
Moroccan intelligence services' secret talks to free Mohamed Bazoum

Palace Intrigues
Joe Biden, Mahamat Idriss Déby, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

SenegalDakar airport used as rear base for Biden's Angola visit

ChadMahamat Idriss Déby and select few announce end of military pact with Paris

Central African RepublicTouadéra pays final tribute to ex-minister Duchemin

Spotlight | West Africa
Macron tackles final decisions on military presence in Africa

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About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

Faure Gnassingbe

Orano

Michaël Randrianirina

China National Petroleum Corp

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

DGSE

Ghana Mahama seeks to strengthen the Accra–Paris axis

Spotlight | Niger How Emmanuel Macron's intense lobbying drove Niamey's backtrack on uranium sale

Senegal Paris and Dakar strengthen their intelligence cooperation

Mali With the junta in trouble, France weighs up options to evacuate its nationals

Cameroon Government makes vain attempts at opening dialogue with Anglophone separatists

Spotlight | Mali From north to west, Assimi Goita under pressure from an evolving Jihad

Spotlight | Senegal Secret talks between Dakar and Paris spy chiefs after military exit

Spotlight | West Africa From Lomé to Abidjan, new boss breathing life into French foreign intelligence service

Africa New French chief of defence staff General Mandon's African involvement

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

Spotlight | Senegal From Abidjan to Beijing, Macky Sall spins a web for the post of UN secretary general

Algeria Macron revives plans for Tebboune state visit

Spotlight | Ivory Coast Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

Chad French army withdrawal leaves subcontractors in the dark

Inner circle | Nigeria The tight and dedicated team around head of national security Nuhu Ribadu

Algeria Algiers looking to renew military ties with Bamako and Niamey

Chad CAE Aviation, collateral victim of withdrawal of French forces

Spotlight | Morocco, Niger Moroccan intelligence services' secret talks to free Mohamed Bazoum

Palace Intrigues Joe Biden, Mahamat Idriss Déby, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

SenegalDakar airport used as rear base for Biden's Angola visit

ChadMahamat Idriss Déby and select few announce end of military pact with Paris

Central African RepublicTouadéra pays final tribute to ex-minister Duchemin

Spotlight | West Africa Macron tackles final decisions on military presence in Africa

Recommended keywords

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Ghana
Mahama seeks to strengthen the Accra–Paris axis

Spotlight | Niger
How Emmanuel Macron's intense lobbying drove Niamey's backtrack on uranium sale

Senegal
Paris and Dakar strengthen their intelligence cooperation

Mali
With the junta in trouble, France weighs up options to evacuate its nationals

Cameroon
Government makes vain attempts at opening dialogue with Anglophone separatists

Spotlight | Mali
From north to west, Assimi Goita under pressure from an evolving Jihad

Spotlight | Senegal
Secret talks between Dakar and Paris spy chiefs after military exit

Spotlight | West Africa
From Lomé to Abidjan, new boss breathing life into French foreign intelligence service

Africa
New French chief of defence staff General Mandon's African involvement

Spotlight | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Inside the Trump administration's Sahelian diplomacy

Spotlight | Senegal
From Abidjan to Beijing, Macky Sall spins a web for the post of UN secretary general

Algeria
Macron revives plans for Tebboune state visit

Spotlight | Ivory Coast
Abidjan goes shopping for cybersecurity and intelligence systems

Chad
French army withdrawal leaves subcontractors in the dark

Inner circle | Nigeria
The tight and dedicated team around head of national security Nuhu Ribadu

Algeria
Algiers looking to renew military ties with Bamako and Niamey

Chad
CAE Aviation, collateral victim of withdrawal of French forces

Spotlight | Morocco, Niger
Moroccan intelligence services' secret talks to free Mohamed Bazoum

Palace Intrigues
Joe Biden, Mahamat Idriss Déby, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Spotlight | West Africa
Macron tackles final decisions on military presence in Africa