Politics

Kenya
Odinga risks losing allies over renewed rejection of Ruto's legitimacy

The runner-up in last year's presidential election has ignored his top supporters' pleas to accept William Ruto's offer of becoming Kenya's official leader of the opposition. But Odinga's own calls for mass demonstrations to push for Ruto's resignation could well backfire.

The New Guard
DRC, Mali, Egypt, Kenya

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

DRC Patrick Nkanga, the quiet mainstay of Kabila's political bureau

Egypt Osama Elgohary, Prime Minister Madbouli's spin-doctor

Kenya Catherine Muraga, driving Microsoft's new tech development

Mali Adam Dicko plants her networks in rural Mali

Ethiopia
Abiy sticks his oar into Orthodox church row

Barely a year after a thwarted schism over the war in Tigray, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is confronted with new divisions driven by the linguistic demands of the Oromo community. A public intervention by the prime minister could exacerbate tensions.

Senegal
Anti-corruption agency plunged into uncertainty by arrival of new boss

The recent appointment of Serigne Bassirou Guèye, a former prosecutor, as the new head of Senegal's anti-corruption agency has not been universally welcomed in the country's legal community. Some magistrates and lawyers fear his arrival will further weaken an institution already hobbled by limited powers.

Palace Intrigues
Félix Tshisekedi, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Faure Gnassingbé, Alassane Ouattara

Intrigues big and small... Every Tuesday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

DRC Tshisekedi's mysteriously large salary

Congo Sassou keeps his memoirs to himself a while longer

France/Togo General Germanos' death leaves hole in team

Ivory Coast Cocody Bay's foul smells get under Ouattara's nose

France, Senegal
Senegal opposition party PASTEF's links with French far left

The far-left La France Insoumise party and Senegal's main opposition leader Ousmane Sonko and his group came together ahead of the vote on the extradition deal between the two countries in late January. MP Arnaud Le Gall, LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon's Africa adviser, was key to the move.

Central African Republic
Touadéra's influence over presidential guard creates concern

Recent promotions within CAR's presidential guard favour the Mbaka-Mandja ethnic group, of which de Faustin-Archange Touadéra is a part, making the guard less diverse.

France, Morocco
France-Morocco parliamentary friendship group presidency to stay with NUPES left-wing alliance

The cancellation of Karim Ben Cheikh's election as an MP for French citizens abroad means that he has lost the presidency of the France-Morocco parliamentary friendship group.

Equatorial Guinea
Manuela Roka Botey is surprise choice for PM

By elevating this hitherto rather low-profile minister to the top job on 31 January, the Equatorial Guinean president is maintaining the regional balance of his cabinet while also making sure that his son Teodorin is not overshadowed.

South Africa
Zane Dangor makes his influence felt at foreign ministry

The director-general of South Africa's foreign ministry is pleading for Pretoria to distance itself from Moscow. His influence is an irritation for some in the ruling ANC, which is keen to maintain good relations with Russia.