Kao

DRC
Kinshasa's curious $205m debt to Abu Dhabi

Félix Tshisekedi's government owes over $200m to the United Arab Emirates, with which it has developed close ties. The government has chosen not to include this debt in its public accounts, and it may be linked to the purchase of military equipment.

DRC
Chinese firm Chengtun Mining lying in wait for strategic Gécamines permit

The mining group is trying to secure a $300m deal in the Lualaba province. In its sights is a Gécamines mining licence recently transferred to an Emirati operator.

Inner Circle | Cameroon
The powerful Joël Monefong grows network in finance minister's orbit

Introduced into the upper echelons of power by Louis-Paul Motaze, the man at the helm of Innovendi Data Technologies has emerged as a discreet yet influential operator straddling Yaoundé and Kinshasa. He has become a pivotal figure in financing port infrastructure and logistics projects.

DRC
Generals pay secret visit to Israel

Kinshasa wants to speed up the revamping of its armed forces. A delegation from the general staff travelled to Tel Aviv at the end of October to meet representatives of Elbit Systems.

Botswana
Gold mine at heart of political-legal battle

Two consortiums are competing to acquire the Mupane gold mine, which has been shut down since March 2024. While the outcome of the auction is being challenged in court by Turkey's Ulsan, its competitor accuses it of collusion with Duma Boko's government.

Spotlight | DRC
Sale of Musonoï East mining site to Abu Dhabi meets uncertainty

The DR Congo president has insisted that Gécamines go back on its decision to terminate its collaboration with South African Robert Gumede for the development of the Musonoï mining project. Owned by the Congolese state company, this deposit is on a list of assets that had recently been proposed to Abu Dhabi.

DRC
Potential mining deal with Abu Dhabi taking shape

Emirati company International Resources Holding pursuing low-key discussions with Gécamines on granting of strategic mining permit in the Katanga province of Lualaba.

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Félix Tshisekedi

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

CongoJetsetter Sassou off to Paris and then Moscow

GabonMahamadou Bonkoungou, indispensable backer of Oligui Nguema

DRCEmirati ambassador conducts his diplomacy outside Kinshasa

Togo
Freemasons hold tense general meeting over disputed election

The election on 16 November 2024 of Julien Pitassa Kao to the rank of Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Togo has been challenged by Yiva Kodjo Badohu, who had been elected to the same position by a rival assembly.

DRC
Riyadh appoints new ambassador to Kinshasa

Faced with the involvement of the UAE and Qatar in the DRC, Riyadh has no intention of being outdone and has decided on the name of its new diplomatic representative in Kinshasa.