Paul Biya

Cameroon
'Magil Affair' reveals tug of war between Ngoh Ngoh and sports minister Kombi

Canadian construction company Magil has managed to salvage its contract for Olembe stadium, at the heart of a bitter battle behind the scenes between the presidency's secretary general Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh and sports minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi.

Cameroon
Intelligence agents hunt author of parliamentary poison-pen letters

A series of anonymous letters purportedly signed by Cameroon's parliamentary speaker have sought to settle scores with several ruling party figures from the Far North region. Investigators recently questioned the speaker's top aide about these poison-pen letters.

Palace Intrigues
Mamadi Doumbouya, Paul Biya, Mohamed Benchaaboun and Zinedine Zidane

Intrigues big and small... Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond. This week: Mamadi Doumbouya's luxury watch collection, Paul Biya's NY wishes cull, Mohammed VI snubs ex-ambassador Mohamed Benchaaboun and French VIPs celebrate NYE in Marrakech.

Guinea Colonel Doumbouya's €400,000 wristwatch

Cameroon Everyone wants their New Year's photo with Biya

Morocco Glacial reception for Mohamed Benchaaboun in Rabat

France-Morocco Zidane among French VIPs in Marrakech for NYE

Cameroon
Oil exec Simon Paley, Moudiki's new protégé at SNH, is one to watch

The current managing director of Tradex, a veteran of state oil company SNH who is close to its director Adolphe Moudiki, is a rising star of the state oil sector set up by President Paul Biya.

Cameroon
Chantal Biya's son Franck Hertz proves his business credentials

The product of Chantal Biya's first marriage, twin brothers Franck and Patrick Hertz have largely been left alone by the media. Now in his thirties, Franck has been making the most of his mother's presidential connections to develop his logistics business between France and Cameroon.

Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea
Biya and Obiang set to seal gas deal

A cross-border energy cooperation deal between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, which has been stalled for several years, is now set to go ahead and should boost both countries' gas operations. It would also benefit Marathon Oil and its Bioko liquefaction plant as well as Chevron, which operates in both countries.

Palace Intrigues
Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Mohammed VI, Kandia Kamissoko Camara, André-Magnus Ekoumou

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

CAR Touadéra dispatches advisers for support in France

France/Morocco Moroccan ambassador to France in no hurry to leave

Ivory Coast Foreign ministry sees spies everywhere

Cameroon André-Magnus Ekoumou still has one foot in each port

Central Africa
Chevron set to stay in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon

Although initially Chevron had no interest in the African blocks it acquired as a result of its takeover of Noble Energy, these assets are proving more profitable than expected. Russia's war against Ukraine has made them even more attractive.

Burkina Faso
Damiba's downfall could disrupt major international arts and crafts conference

A 26-member committee that steers the development of African arts and handicraft is meant to meet in Ouagadougou at the end of this month. Although this sector accounts for a third of Burkina Faso's GDP, the 30 September coup could affect the important gathering.

Cameroon, France
Macron announces declassification of already public archives

During his recent African tour, the French president ordered the opening of archives concerning the violent repression carried out by his country during Cameroon's independence. A similar promise was made by his predecessor back in 2015.