Central African Republic
Touadéra attempts to fend off coup threat from former presidential advisers

The New Guard
Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Tunisia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

EthiopiaMahlet Afework, the haute couture entrepreneur who's in fashion

Central African RepublicAnge-Gabriel Patassé, government's trusted commander

TunisiaWael Chouchane wants to reconnect Tunis with the EU

Central African Republic
Sports Minister Doneng loses power struggle with football federation

Héritier Doneng, who is close to Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, pulled a media stunt by trying to impose Rigobert Song as the national football team coach. But he was forced to back down after the country's soccer federation and FIFA opposed the move.

Central African Republic
Armel Sayo avoids extradition to Bangui

The authorities have failed in their appeal to Cameroon to hand over the rebel leader. Having founded an armed group in northern CAR just a few months ago, he has been held in Yaoundé's central prison since January.

Central African Republic
Wagner's astonishing payments to CAR rebels revealed in new book

In the new book "Death Is Our Business", out in March, US journalist John Lechner reveals the behind the scenes of the negotiations between Wagner's Yevgeny Prigozhin and Central African armed groups' leaders.

Central African Republic
Diamond embargo to be raised in decisive Dubai meeting

The country's diamond industry is hoping that a decade-long embargo on its stones will be partially or fully lifted as a result of the Kimberley Process plenary meeting being held this week in the UAE.

Central African Republic
Bangui takes aim at opposition figure who pressed charges in France for 'assassination attempt'

Opposition figure Jean-François Akandji-Kombé, who filed a complaint against CAR Sports Minister Rodolphe Héritier Doneng in mid-July for an alleged assassination attempt in France, now finds himself in the firing line.

Central African Republic
Livestock minister Hassan Bouba hit by travel ban

The minister, who is close to Russia, seems to be falling out of favour with President Touadéra. Earlier this month, he was prevented from leaving the country to receive medical treatment.

Central African Republic
UPC rebel group takes steps towards potential disarmament

One of CAR's largest armed groups is participating in talks with the government with a view to disarming. Meanwhile, the rebel group's main adversaries on the ground, the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, have not been invited to talks scheduled in Chad in the coming weeks.

Central African Republic
Is the diamond embargo about to be lifted completely for CAR?

A Kimberley Process team is due to visit the Central African Republic from 9 to 15 September, to look at the possibility of lifting the diamond trade sanctions.

Central African Republic
Sant'Egidio movement sets up talks between armed group MPC and Bangui

A member of the MPC and a close associate of President Touadéra met in Rome this month at the invitation of the Sant'Egidio peace organisation. It is hoped these talks will result in the return of imprisoned rebel leader Mahamat Al-Khatim.