Diplomacy

Equatorial Guinea
President Obiang Nguema visits Washington on the QT

The Equatorial Guinean head of state was received by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on 16 April.

Palace Intrigues
Robert Beugré Mambé, Wale Edun, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

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

Ivory CoastPrime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé gets ready to tie the knot

NigeriaFinance minister tipped to attend Paris anti-terror summit

Central African RepublicFranco-Ivorian banker Ibrahim Magassa invited to Touadéra's inauguration

North Africa
Mahgreb experts launch strategic think tank

Three specialists from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria have launched a new 'incubator' of ideas, the Paris-based Policy Network for Transitions. Its aim is to help local elites meet long-term climate and economic challenges in the Maghreb.

Nigeria
Tinubu's low-key meeting with Macron's chief of staff

The French president has sent General Vincent Giraud to Abuja to strengthen security cooperation with Nigeria. Both Paris and Washington are supporting the country in its fight against jihadist attacks, which have increased in the north-east.

The New Guard
Morocco, Tanzania, Congo

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

MoroccoNayl Tounsi el-Azzoiani, high-achieving lawyer serving the kingdom

TanzaniaJackline Kuwanda, journalist championing human rights

CongoPrécieux Massoueme, Denis Sassou-Nguesso's bridge to the youth

Sudan
Pro-RSF coalition, Tasis, plans parallel Berlin event

Criticising the event's format, the Sudan Founding Alliance has decided to bypass the international conference on Sudan and instead focus on another meeting organised by its own members. This will bring together several of the group's heavyweights and political figures from across the continent.

Tunisia
Paris cancels parliamentary mission to Tunis at last minute

While a persistent chill has set in between Carthage and the Élysée Palace, parliamentary diplomacy has so far failed to pick up the baton. The situation highlights Tunisia's hardening stance in the face of criticism from abroad.

Rwanda
French diplomat to head EU delegation in Kigali

Frenchman Jérémie Blin's EU mission will be to ease tensions between Brussels and Kigali, which have been strained by Rwanda’s support for the AFC-M23 in the DRC.

Madagascar
Prime minister leads mission to Washington

Prime Minister Mamitiana Rajaonarison is set to make his first official overseas visit on 16 April when he travels to Washington, with his priority on renewing AGOA. Accompanied by Malagasy officials and private sector representatives, he will attend the spring meetings of the World Bank and the IMF.

Sahel
AES members take another step away from the OECD

The annual meeting of the OECD-backed Food Crisis Prevention Network took place without the participation of the three military-junta-headed countries of the Alliance of Sahel States, which chose not to send delegations.