Françoise Joly

African Union, Congo, Libya
Sassou appoints special adviser Joly to work on Libya

As the chairman of the African Union's committee on Libya, the Congolese president is now relying on his special adviser Françoise Joly to monitor developments in Libya.

Congo
Sassou chief of staff Florent Ntsiba at heart of power struggle

Some members of the Congolese president's inner circle have in recent weeks been pushing for Denis Sassou Nguesso's chief of staff, Florent Ntsiba, to be replaced. Among them is the influential minister of territorial development, Jean-Jacques Bouya.

Congo
Sassou deftly pairs inner circle with cabinet members

The president's cabinet reshuffle has done little to rock the boat of his prime minister Anatole Collinet Makosso or of his own entourage. Only his finance minister, Rigobert Foger Andely, has had to say goodbye.

Congo
Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso loses ground in Brazzaville

Despite considerable self-promotion efforts, the international cooperation minister is struggling to find his place within a government where he has managed to irk several ministers. His public-private partnership law has just been rejected by his father, the Congolese president, who keeps him at a safe distance from presidential affairs.

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou Nguesso, Alassane Ouattara, Nasser Bourita

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

CongoSassou to holiday in Turkey

Ivory CoastAlassane Ouattara's three palaces in Abdijan.

Moroco/FranceRabat angry over twinning of Ivry-sur-Seine with district of Mijek