Inner Circle | Egypt
Khaled el-Enany sizes up crew to navigate turbulent tides at UNESCO

Egypt
New UNESCO chief El-Enany strapped for cash

At issue is the confirmed departure of the United States from UNESCO, announced by the Trump administration in July 2025, against which the UN institution's director-general has proven powerless.

Morocco
Rabat boosts UNESCO funding

In November, the kingdom lost a "friend of Morocco" at the helm of the UN agency for education, science and culture with the departure of Audrey Azoulay as director-general. Since then, Rabat has decided to increase its financial contribution.

Egypt
Emmanuel Macron plans new summit with Sissi

Less than a year since Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Egypt, the French president's relations with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sissi are tightening, with a new meeting in the works for April.

Congo
Brazzaville misses out on joining the UNESCO World Heritage Committee

After Firmin Edouard Matoko's defeat for the director-general role at the UN institution, Congo suffers another setback in not being elected to the heritage committee.

Palace Intrigues
Andry Rajoelina, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Alassane Ouattara

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

MadagascarA luxury hotel and an artificial island : Rajoelina's Dubai stops

CongoAnatole Collinet Makosso repents to Denis Sassou-Nguesso

Ivory CoastAlassane Ouattara remains loyal to construction magnate Mahamadou Bonkoungou's jets

Congo, Egypt
Two candidates wrangle for African support in UNESCO leadership run

With the election of the future head of the UN institution looming on the horizon, the race for support has gathered momentum, but not without a few hiccups.

Tunisia
Tawfik Jelassi's move to head UNESCO remains a pipe dream

Previously considered a serious candidate to succeed Audrey Azoulay, envisaged in november, the former Tunisian minister for higher education was not supported in the end by his country, who chose instead to endorse Egypt's candidate.

Egypt
Arab group at UNESCO calls for clarity over allegations against director-general candidate

The Arab ambassadors to UNESCO are demanding clarification regarding accusations made against a rival of the Egyptian candidate for the position at the head of the organisation.