Wagner

Africa
Macron appoints his new ambassadors, from Ouagadougou to Brazzaville

The French president has just appointed several ambassadors to strategic posts in Africa in Burkina Faso, Angola, Chad, Congo and Eritrea.

Central African Republic
A discreet Chinese firm investigates the killing of nine miners working for Royal Cost Gold

Last week's unclaimed deadly attack on a mining site run by Chinese citizens in Chimbolo has sent shockwaves through the Chinese community, which is very active in this sector. An economic intelligence firm is looking into the activities of armed groups in the area.

Madagascar
Would-be president Siteny's Russian business ties

Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, who is running for president, can count on his economic links with the family of Marius Vizer, who heads the International Judo Federation and is close to Vladimir Putin.

DRC, Rwanda
Paris embarrassed by presence of French veterans in eastern DRC

At least three French former officers now working in the private sector are providing logistical support to the Congolese army in the east - a source of embarrassment at the highest levels of the French state.

Central African Republic
Washington proposes Brazzaville and Bissau for ex-president François Bozizé's exile

The US is currently engaged in advanced negotiations to convince CAR's president, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, to break with the Russian paramilitary armed group Wagner, and has offered to sponsor Bozizé's departure from Chad.

Sudan
Western donors ready to resume aid and counter Russian influence

A coup in 2021 brought Sudan's economy to a standstill, putting debt negotiations on hold, freezing budget support and scaring off investors. But the country hopes that the imminent appointment of a new prime minister will turn the tide, signalling to the West that it can resume aid and return to the fray to compete with Moscow and the Gulf states.

Burkina Faso
Under sanctions, Nordgold adjusts its strategy

Alexei Mordashov's company is stepping up its efforts at its Bissa Gold concession in the centre of Burkina Faso, which is less exposed to security risks. At the same time, the Russian firm is trying to persuade the ruling junta to allow it to settle some of its tax and royalty dues in gold and to lift a ban on exporting its output.

Niger
Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles due in Niamey

Spanish Minister of Defence Margarita Robles is due to make an official one-day visit to Niamey on 11 January, during which she will meet her counterpart, Alkassoum Indattou, and Niger's President, Mohamed Bazoum.

Central African Republic
Trouble in ranks of Touadéra's presidential guard

One of the leaders of the elite group of the presidential guard, Lieutenant Rafai, has been on the run for several days. Well-liked by Wagner's paramilitaries, he has been in dispute with a close friend of the president, Colonel Wananga.

Mali
Aid workers seek solution after Mali junta bans French-backed groups

European embassies and development workers are trying to map out a future for aid groups in Mali after the junta ban on non-governmental organisations backed by France.

Palace Intrigues
Alassane Ouattara, Henri Konan Bedie, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Emmanuel Macron and Assimi Goita

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

Ivory Coast Bedie's secret call to Ouattara

Niger embassies deplore administrative harassment

Congo Omar Denis Jr Bongo feels at home in Malabo

France/Mali Behind Assimi Goita's first call to Macron