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DRC

Sonahydroc CEO summoned by security chief Esambo

The CEO of the Congolese state-owned oil company Sonahydroc, Marcellin Bilomba, has just been called to appear before Jean-Louis Esambo Kangashe, head of the National Security Council.

Subscribers only Energy 07.12.2023

Indian bank Blend Finance's big CEMAC promise

The Dubai-based Indian bank has pledged to raise €5.6bn from Emirati financial institutions in support of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa, while multilateral donors remain reserved.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 06.12.2023

Perenco withdraws from onshore block tender

The Anglo-French oil company has told the Kinshasa government that it is withdrawing from a call for tenders to explore two onshore blocks in Kongo-Central, having found them to have "insufficient" potential.

Subscribers only Energy 05.12.2023

Sonahydroc fears competition for Ango-Ango pipelines concession contract

The concession contract for the Ango-Ango pipelines, a key infrastructure for the supply of petroleum products to west DRC, ends in 2025 and is already sparking interest from several actors.

Subscribers only Energy 04.12.2023

Inner circles
Tshisekedi fashions army command to wage war in east

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, on 20 February 2022. © Arsene Mpiana/AFP

Subscribers only Defence 01.12.2023

International TV series in pipeline

The Italian screenwriters Maddalena Ravagli and Leonardo Fasoli (Django, Gomorra, ZeroZeroZero) are currently putting the finishing touches to an international television series whose main plot centres around the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Subscribers only Business 01.12.2023

Belgian ambassador's low-profile meeting with Joseph Kabila

On her first official visit to the country in late November, Belgium's ambassador to the DRC, Roxane de Bilderling, travelled to Lubumbashi and met with former president Joseph Kabila.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 01.12.2023

EU cancels its DRC election observation mission

Breaking news published on 28/11/23 at 2.00 pm GMT - Following several days of deadlock with Kinshasa, the European Union has decided to withdraw its team of 42 electoral experts, sent to the country ahead of the presidential election on 20 December.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 28.11.2023

Josep Borrell, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

In Focus
Ruto's great expectations frustrated by Kinshasa

Since Félix Tshisekedi came to power in 2019 in the DRC, the Kenyan political class and private sector have been trying to make inroads there. These efforts have been slow to bear fruit, as relations between the two countries remain strained.

Subscribers only Business, Diplomacy 27.11.2023

Kenyan president William Ruto, Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi and Congolese Head of State Félix Tshisekedi.

Samcrete loses part of Kasai road contract after its 'disastrous' work

Infrastructure Minister Alexis Gisaro Muvunyi has castigated the Egyptian firm, which was in fact unable to move forward due to authorities blocking its construction equipment in the port of Matadi. Two other companies are expected to quickly take over the construction of a 45km stretch of road.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 27.11.2023

Pierre Weill polishes Félix Tshisekedi's image with French MPs

With just one month to go before the Congolese presidential election on 20 December, President Félix Tshisekedi, who is standing for a second term, is busy trying to improve his reputation in France.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 27.11.2023

Spotlight
FARDC and its foreign and domestic allies fail to coalesce in battle against M23

Despite the support of nearly 1,000 foreign instructors, the mobilisation of armed groups and the imminent deployment of Chinese drones, Kinshasa has so far proved incapable of coordinating operations against the M23 rebels in eastern DRC.

Subscribers only Defence 24.11.2023

Goma, capital of North Kivu province, DRC, on 21 October 2023.

Tshisekedi's spymasters in Paris on a politico-security mission

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi's adviser on security issues is meeting with the head of the country's national intelligence agency in Paris. The two will then hold talks with French officials and intelligence chiefs with December's elections looming and against the backdrop of the war with the M23.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.11.2023

Kinshasa in hot seat with lawyers over $12bn oil dispute in Paris

The Paris Court of Appeal has agreed to adjourn a trial between GEPECO and the Congolese state until January at the request of the latter's lawyers, who are still waiting to be paid for their work during the first trial of the ongoing legal battle.

Subscribers only Energy 21.11.2023

Portfolio Minister Kayinda set to decide on Gécamines embezzlement allegations

Portfolio Minister Adèle Kahinda received a file on 16 November from the DRC's auditing body, the Inspection Générale des Finances, concerning payments from Société Immobilière Congolaise (Simco) to 27 Gécamines executives.

Subscribers only Mining 17.11.2023

Spotlight
Mission impossible in North Kivu for DRC electoral commission

The DRC government had hoped the security situation in the war-torn eastern province would improve sufficiently for voting to go ahead in next month's elections. But clashes with M23 rebels and logistical challenges could deprive the Masisi and Rutshuru areas of the vote.

Subscribers only Politics 16.11.2023

The president of the Independent National Electoral Commission of the DRC, Denis Kadima.

Samcrete mulls arbitration against Kinshasa over stalled road project

The asphalting of the road between Mbuji-Mayi and Kananga, due to be completed before next month's presidential election, has been delayed by the blocking of funding and of materials. The Egyptian firm contracted to do the job has accused the authorities of trying to torpedo the project.

Subscribers only Infrastructure 16.11.2023

Spotlight
Israel repatriates military instructors from DRC after Hamas attack

The mass mobilisation of Israeli reservists after the Hamas attack led to the recall of dozens of instructors employed by private military contractors in DR Congo.

Subscribers only Defence 15.11.2023

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv on 25 October 2023.

Despite lack of clarity over production, Perenco goes from strength to strength

Just as Perenco is due to acquire two blocks in an area where it is already operating, the DR Congo government is querying the accuracy of the company's oil production claims, which have not changed for years.

Subscribers only Energy 15.11.2023

Perenco oil company managers and technicians near the onshore oil wells in operation on the outskirts of Muanda, on the southwestern tip of the DRC on 19 October 2021.

DRC's Tshisekedi delays decision on who will take over Gertler's former oil blocks

The Congolese president is keen to delay the selection process for new operators of oil blocks 1 and 2 on Lake Albert, where majors including TotalEnergies had previously positioned themselves, with junior companies now also in the running.

Subscribers only Energy 14.11.2023

DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, at Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, the 4 September 2022.

DR Congo security chief seeks to reboot Paris-Kinshasa relations

Jean-Louis Esambo, who just took over as head of DR Congo's Conseil National de Sécurité, is seeking to rekindle relations with French intelligence and diplomatic services.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 13.11.2023

Managem's bitter divorce from Congolese gold partner

Despite agreeing in May 2022 to part company amicably, the Moroccan firm and its local partner TSM will meet again in January at the ICC arbitration tribunal in Paris.

Free access Mining 10.11.2023

US ambassador Lucy Tamlyn expected in Goma

The American ambassador to the DRC, Lucy Tamlyn is due to visit Goma next week. Her visit takes place against the backdrop of an increasingly tense security situation in the region.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 10.11.2023

Government at odds over repaying its oil debts

Several senior figures in the DRC administration are against proposed arrangements for reimbursing $438m that was used to subsidise petrol prices in 2022. But failure to find a rapid solution could result in fuel shortages and unwanted political consequences.

Subscribers only Finance, Energy, Politics 09.11.2023

Malawi reinforces its MONUSCO contingent

South African armoured vehicle manufacturer OTT Technologies is due to deliver a batch of 30 personnel carriers in early 2024 to support the ramp-up of Malawian Defence Force contingents deployed in the DRC.

Subscribers only Defence 08.11.2023

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

DRC
The Tshisekedi clan's dangerous ties with cobalt looting "cartels"

DRC

Sonahydroc CEO summoned by security chief Esambo

Indian bank Blend Finance's big CEMAC promise

Perenco withdraws from onshore block tender

Sonahydroc fears competition for Ango-Ango pipelines concession contract

Inner circles
Tshisekedi fashions army command to wage war in east

International TV series in pipeline

Belgian ambassador's low-profile meeting with Joseph Kabila

EU cancels its DRC election observation mission

In Focus
Ruto's great expectations frustrated by Kinshasa

Samcrete loses part of Kasai road contract after its 'disastrous' work

Pierre Weill polishes Félix Tshisekedi's image with French MPs

Spotlight
FARDC and its foreign and domestic allies fail to coalesce in battle against M23

Tshisekedi's spymasters in Paris on a politico-security mission

Kinshasa in hot seat with lawyers over $12bn oil dispute in Paris

Portfolio Minister Kayinda set to decide on Gécamines embezzlement allegations

Spotlight
Mission impossible in North Kivu for DRC electoral commission

Samcrete mulls arbitration against Kinshasa over stalled road project

Spotlight
Israel repatriates military instructors from DRC after Hamas attack

Despite lack of clarity over production, Perenco goes from strength to strength

DRC's Tshisekedi delays decision on who will take over Gertler's former oil blocks

DR Congo security chief seeks to reboot Paris-Kinshasa relations

Managem's bitter divorce from Congolese gold partner

US ambassador Lucy Tamlyn expected in Goma

Government at odds over repaying its oil debts

Malawi reinforces its MONUSCO contingent

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About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

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Indigo Publications' websites

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

DRC The Tshisekedi clan's dangerous ties with cobalt looting "cartels"

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

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

Andry Rajoelina

African Development Bank

Paul Biya

Erik Prince

AFRICOM

DRC

Sonahydroc CEO summoned by security chief Esambo

Indian bank Blend Finance's big CEMAC promise

Perenco withdraws from onshore block tender

Sonahydroc fears competition for Ango-Ango pipelines concession contract

Inner circles Tshisekedi fashions army command to wage war in east

International TV series in pipeline

Belgian ambassador's low-profile meeting with Joseph Kabila

EU cancels its DRC election observation mission

In Focus Ruto's great expectations frustrated by Kinshasa

Samcrete loses part of Kasai road contract after its 'disastrous' work

Pierre Weill polishes Félix Tshisekedi's image with French MPs

Spotlight FARDC and its foreign and domestic allies fail to coalesce in battle against M23

Tshisekedi's spymasters in Paris on a politico-security mission

Kinshasa in hot seat with lawyers over $12bn oil dispute in Paris

Portfolio Minister Kayinda set to decide on Gécamines embezzlement allegations

Spotlight Mission impossible in North Kivu for DRC electoral commission

Samcrete mulls arbitration against Kinshasa over stalled road project

Spotlight Israel repatriates military instructors from DRC after Hamas attack

Despite lack of clarity over production, Perenco goes from strength to strength

DRC's Tshisekedi delays decision on who will take over Gertler's former oil blocks

DR Congo security chief seeks to reboot Paris-Kinshasa relations

Managem's bitter divorce from Congolese gold partner

US ambassador Lucy Tamlyn expected in Goma

Government at odds over repaying its oil debts

Malawi reinforces its MONUSCO contingent

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

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

DRC
The Tshisekedi clan's dangerous ties with cobalt looting "cartels"

Inner circles
Tshisekedi fashions army command to wage war in east

In Focus
Ruto's great expectations frustrated by Kinshasa

Spotlight
FARDC and its foreign and domestic allies fail to coalesce in battle against M23

Spotlight
Mission impossible in North Kivu for DRC electoral commission

Spotlight
Israel repatriates military instructors from DRC after Hamas attack