Inner circles | Congo
Denis Christel uses cooperation ministry as launchpad for presidential bid

Congo
La Congolaise des Routes investigates ‘serious anomalies'

The firm operating the road linking the Republic of Congo's two main cities, in which China State Construction Engineering Corp holds a majority stake, is scrutinising the activities of its subcontractor, a subsidiary of the French company Egis, in the revenue traceability chain.

Congo
Congo ministers 'Kiki' and Bouya spar in contest to attract foreign investment

The international cooperation minister Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso has been given the official go-ahead for an inter-ministerial committee to manage foreign investments. His rival, the minister of territorial development Jean-Jacques Bouya, has been kept on the sidelines.

Congo
Sassou raises retirement age for his generals

Via two decrees signed in late 2022, Congo's president Denis Sassou Nguesso has extended the tenure of generals who have reached the official retirement age in order to avoid upsetting the delicate balance of his security apparatus.

Congo
Medef seeking investments but not Jean-Jacques Bouya in Brazzaville

The French employers' federation, MEDEF, is due to visit Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, the economic capital of Congo, from 7 to 9 December, after a stop in Libreville, Gabon.

Congo
Politics dominate spymaster Okemba's Parisian sojourn

During his recent trip to Paris, the powerful chief of intelligence made a great fuss of the rapprochement between the Congolese diaspora in France. This has allowed him to place his pawns near to President Denis Sassou Nguesso and gain bonus points in the race for his succession.

Congo
After London and Dubai, Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso plans Singapore investment conference

The Congolese Minister of International Cooperation and Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, is planning a major conference for investors in Singapore.

Palace Intrigues
Nicolas Sarkozy, Teodorin Obiang, François Beya and Thomas Boni Yayi

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

Congo/France Denis Sassou Nguesso invites Sarkozy to stay

Equatorial Guinea VP Teodorin Obiang holidays in Lisbon

Congo/DRC François Beya looked after by JDO

Benin/Guinea Thomas Boni Yayi enlists daughter in mediation

Congo
Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso sows confusion among business owners over compliance checks

In a letter to the chairman of Congo's employers' association, Unicongo, the minister of international cooperation and public private partnerships caused a great deal of confusion regarding the imported goods certification process, forcing Fylla de Saint-Eudes, the minister of industry, to offer clarification.

Congo
After Paris, PM Makosso flies off to Washington then London

Congolese PM Anatole Collinet Makosso, having hosted the Rwandan head of state Paul Kagame in Brazzaville at the start of the week, in the company of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, is now on a trip to Paris.

Congo
35°Nord to champion Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso in London

Specialist Africa communications company 35°Nord - which was bought at the end of last year by the lobbying and consultancy firm Avisa Partners - will hold an event in London on 8-10 March for the benefit of Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, the Congolese Minister for International Cooperation.

Congo
X-OIL and Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso see money in lubricants

These products, widely used in the timber, mining and oil industries, sell for a much larger profit margin than petroleum products.

Congo
Fadil Yuzal, the Franco-Turkish businessman favoured by Sassou Nguesso

Yuzal has become the main air service provider for the Congolese presidency, while at the same time bringing a lot of business into the country.

Congo
Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso goes on the offensive

On the eve of the ruling PCT party conference, which he hopes to use as a launchpad, the president's disruptive youngest son has installed his allies in private sector posts, sometimes rather forcefully.

Congo
Cedric Okiorina, future guardian of Kiki's networks joins SNPC trading

The former head of marketing for Societe nationale des petroles du Congo (SNPC) and previous deputy to Denis Christel Sassou [...]