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CAR

Touadéra and Bongo challenge UN investigation into MINUSCA

The dismissal, on 15 September, of the Gabonese troops posted in Bangui under the direction of the UN was a major shock. One month on, Gabonese diplomats have demanded an explanation from New York, with the backing of the Central African government.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 15.10.2021

Government overhauls controversial mining reform plans

The Central African Republic is revising its plan for a public company to nationalise the trade in precious stones. President Faustin Archange Touadéra presented a new project on 8 October.

Subscribers only Mining 15.10.2021

Abidjan in running to provide peacekeepers for MINUSCA

To replace the Gabonese battalion withdrawn from the UN peacekeeping mission in CAR, the Ivorian high command is looking into sending 450 to 650 soldiers by the summer of 2022. But Abidjan will have to train and equip its troops quickly if it is to persuade the UN of their suitability.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 14.10.2021

Touadéra wants to reengage with Paris

Central African President Faustin Archange Touadéra at the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on 21 September 2021. © Mary Altaffer/EPA/Pool/MaxPPP

Subscribers only Diplomacy Running story - Moscow's way into Africa 04.10.2021

Paris makes life uncomfortable for CAR officials

Since September, France has refused to grant visas to a dozen Central African Republic officials in a sign of the tense relations between the two countries. The situation is unlikely to improve with several investigations on the horizon.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 24.09.2021

After false start, fate of Ndassima mine could be settled in Abidjan on 25 October

The Ivorian economic capital will be the venue for an initial mediation over the Ndassima gold mine. Canadian firm Axmin is challenging Bangui's 2019 cancellation of its two licences there. Illustrating the tension between them, the two parties even had trouble agreeing on a date for the talks.

Subscribers only Mining 22.09.2021

Tripoli set to retake Bangui's Plaza Ledger hotel after seven-year battle

Zeyad Alzarzour Khalifa, the all-powerful boss of the Plaza Ledger hotel, was in mid-September unceremoniously booted out of his job. The move opens the door to Libya's sovereign wealth fund taking back control of the luxury hotel, and it could end years of bad blood between Tripoli and Bangui.

Subscribers only Business 21.09.2021

UN decision to send Gabon peacekeepers home flusters Libreville and rattles MINUSCA

The UN's decision to send the entire Gabonese contingent home from the Central African Republic following allegations of sexual abuse couldn't have come at a worse time for Libreville as it prepares to enter the Security Council in 2022.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 21.09.2021

Voyageur Aviation and Heli Air take MINUSCA peacekeepers to the skies

Drawing on solid experience working in African skies, the private Canadian and Bulgarian operators will soon be transporting troops for the peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic under General Traoré's command.

Subscribers only Defence, Business 09.09.2021

Glencore's two-speed debt talks with Chad and Congo

A creditor of both N'Djamena and Brazzaville, the oil trading giant is facing two very different situations. In Chad, which is seeking debt relief under the terms of the G20's "common framework", Glencore will have to accept the terms negotiated by the country's sovereign creditors.

Subscribers only Politics 08.09.2021

Czech defence industry's African sales drive

In July, Prague embarked on a major tour of West and Central African defence ministries to promote Czech Republic's military know-how. Once dominated by French interests, competition in this region is becoming increasingly international.

Subscribers only Defence, Business 03.09.2021

PM Dondra keeps Wagner at arm's length

Since his appointment in June as Central African Republic's new prime minister Henri-Marie Dondra has not been using the services of the private Russian military group Wagner for his personal guard, as had his predecessor Firmin Ngrebada.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 02.09.2021

Central African Republic prime minister Henri-Marie Dondra.

Touadéra finds jobs in presidency for former Ngrebada ministers

Central African Republic president Faustin-Archange Touadéra has used the torpor of the month of August to quietly carry out a game of musical chairs.

Subscribers only Politics 25.08.2021

President of Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera.

Burkina Faso subcontractor Arouna Nikiema is Minusca favourite

In winning a new round for its contract to provide security to the UN mission MINUSCA, Croisement SA, a subsidiary of Burkinabe businessman Arouna Nikiema's holding company BBS, has secured its presence in Central African Republic on top of an active network in West Africa.

Subscribers only Defence, Business 20.08.2021

Spotlight
Equatorial Guinea turns to IMF as bankruptcy looms

Equatorial Guinea has become a matter of concern for the CEMAC, whose heads of state are gathering for an IMF summit in Yaoundé today.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 18.08.2021

Mohammed VI's Tractafric Motors to transfer all interests to Sassou ally

The offshoot of King Mohammed VI's holding company Al Mada is handing over all of its car dealerships in the DRC, Gabon and soon Congo to Sada Motors, a newcomer controlled by a Congolese MP with ties to Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Subscribers only Business 17.08.2021

The Congolese deputy and businessman Alexis Ndinga.

In Focus
Bolloré, TotalEnergies and Air France held hostage in Franco-Russian power struggle

As France downgrades its relations with the Central African Republic (CAR), which it sees as too much under Russian influence, the authorities there are exerting pressure on French companies still active in the country.

Subscribers only Business 26.07.2021

The then Prime Minister of the Central African Republic, Firmin Ngrebada (centre), salutes his troops as a Russian-made support helicopter flies overhead on the road between Boali and Bangui on 10 January 2021.

RA International bags contract to upgrade Bangui airport for MINUSCA

RA International, which specialises in conflict zone logistics, is boosting its presence in the Central African Republic.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 21.07.2021

Bangui sparks fears of Russian hand in planned diamond trade nationalisation

The Central African Republic is preparing to overhaul its mining legislation. At the heart of the long-awaited reform is the creation of a controversial entity in control of all buying and selling of precious stones.

Subscribers only Mining 14.07.2021

Ndassima gold mine near Djoubissi, north of Bambari, Central African Republic.

Weapons embargo sparks tension within UN Security Council

The UN Security Council intends to extend the weapons embargo against the CAR at the end of this month. While France, the UK,and the US are in favour of extending, Russia is threatening to use its veto power.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 12.07.2021

Moscow uses civil defence as lever of influence

The Russian foreign ministry cherishes its relations with the International Civil Defence Organisation, whose member states are due to gather in Abidjan in October.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 09.07.2021

Lebanese firms battle over passport contract

Al Madina, which makes ID cards and other documents for Central African Republic citizens, wants to snatch the biometric passport contract held since 20210 by compatriot Africard.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 07.07.2021

As Russian influence grows, EU mulls aid suspension, following Paris's lead

As Russian paramilitary group Wagner continues to extend its influence in the Central African Republic, the European Union is considering suspending payment of an upcoming €30m tranche of budget aid to the government.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 29.06.2021

Hyatt plays catch-up with Accor, Radisson and Marriott

The US chain is mainly active on Africa's east coast and until now has had no business in central Africa. Now it's putting up a luxury hotel in Cameroon.

Subscribers only Business 22.06.2021

New PM Dondra squeezed between donors and Russia

Appointed prime minister on 11 June, Henri-Marie Dondra has the difficult task of reassuring the cash-strapped country's financial backers while dealing with heightened tensions over the December elections and growing Russian influence. The appointment of his cabinet will be a baptism of fire.

Subscribers only Politics 18.06.2021

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Gabon
The secrets behind the FGIS, a sovereign wealth fund set adrift

Africa
Massad Boulos, a free agent of Donald Trump's African diplomacy under close watch

CAR

Touadéra and Bongo challenge UN investigation into MINUSCA

Government overhauls controversial mining reform plans

Abidjan in running to provide peacekeepers for MINUSCA

Touadéra wants to reengage with Paris

Paris makes life uncomfortable for CAR officials

After false start, fate of Ndassima mine could be settled in Abidjan on 25 October

Tripoli set to retake Bangui's Plaza Ledger hotel after seven-year battle

UN decision to send Gabon peacekeepers home flusters Libreville and rattles MINUSCA

Voyageur Aviation and Heli Air take MINUSCA peacekeepers to the skies

Glencore's two-speed debt talks with Chad and Congo

Czech defence industry's African sales drive

PM Dondra keeps Wagner at arm's length

Touadéra finds jobs in presidency for former Ngrebada ministers

Burkina Faso subcontractor Arouna Nikiema is Minusca favourite

Spotlight
Equatorial Guinea turns to IMF as bankruptcy looms

Mohammed VI's Tractafric Motors to transfer all interests to Sassou ally

In Focus
Bolloré, TotalEnergies and Air France held hostage in Franco-Russian power struggle

RA International bags contract to upgrade Bangui airport for MINUSCA

Bangui sparks fears of Russian hand in planned diamond trade nationalisation

Weapons embargo sparks tension within UN Security Council

Moscow uses civil defence as lever of influence

Lebanese firms battle over passport contract

As Russian influence grows, EU mulls aid suspension, following Paris's lead

Hyatt plays catch-up with Accor, Radisson and Marriott

New PM Dondra squeezed between donors and Russia

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About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Gabon The secrets behind the FGIS, a sovereign wealth fund set adrift

Africa Massad Boulos, a free agent of Donald Trump's African diplomacy under close watch

Makhzen Inc. or the ever more prosperous business empire of Mohammed VI's entourage

Simandou, Nimba and Zogota: the long and difficult road to the start of iron ore production

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

Andry Rajoelina

African Development Bank

Paul Biya

Erik Prince

AFRICOM

CAR

Touadéra and Bongo challenge UN investigation into MINUSCA

Government overhauls controversial mining reform plans

Abidjan in running to provide peacekeepers for MINUSCA

Touadéra wants to reengage with Paris

Paris makes life uncomfortable for CAR officials

After false start, fate of Ndassima mine could be settled in Abidjan on 25 October

Tripoli set to retake Bangui's Plaza Ledger hotel after seven-year battle

UN decision to send Gabon peacekeepers home flusters Libreville and rattles MINUSCA

Voyageur Aviation and Heli Air take MINUSCA peacekeepers to the skies

Glencore's two-speed debt talks with Chad and Congo

Czech defence industry's African sales drive

PM Dondra keeps Wagner at arm's length

Touadéra finds jobs in presidency for former Ngrebada ministers

Burkina Faso subcontractor Arouna Nikiema is Minusca favourite

Spotlight Equatorial Guinea turns to IMF as bankruptcy looms

Mohammed VI's Tractafric Motors to transfer all interests to Sassou ally

In Focus Bolloré, TotalEnergies and Air France held hostage in Franco-Russian power struggle

RA International bags contract to upgrade Bangui airport for MINUSCA

Bangui sparks fears of Russian hand in planned diamond trade nationalisation

Weapons embargo sparks tension within UN Security Council

Moscow uses civil defence as lever of influence

Lebanese firms battle over passport contract

As Russian influence grows, EU mulls aid suspension, following Paris's lead

Hyatt plays catch-up with Accor, Radisson and Marriott

New PM Dondra squeezed between donors and Russia

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Gabon
The secrets behind the FGIS, a sovereign wealth fund set adrift

Africa
Massad Boulos, a free agent of Donald Trump's African diplomacy under close watch

Spotlight
Equatorial Guinea turns to IMF as bankruptcy looms

In Focus
Bolloré, TotalEnergies and Air France held hostage in Franco-Russian power struggle