Alliance

Ghana
Accra nurtures its relations with Alliance of Sahel states

John Mahama chose to invite the Alliance of the Sahel States to the high-level consultative conference on regional cooperation and security, rather than Ivory Coast and Benin.

DRC
The outlines of Kinshasa and Washington's security rapprochement

Behind the mining partnership signed on 4 December lies another, more subtle issue: the formalisation of a security framework between the DRC and the United States, which could pave the way for military support.

DRC
Kinshasa dodges $54.5m penalty in US ruling

The DRC, which was ordered in absentia last June to pay millions of dollars to Material Aviation Technologie Navigation, recently obtained the annulment of the judgment on procedural grounds. Yet the case could soon be reopened.

Morocco
A new mining trader sources from the kingdom

In a market dominated by Glencore, a new player has begun to forge ties with groups based in the country. The goal: to supply Chinese clients.

Burundi, DRC, Rwanda
EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib's Great Lakes tour to stop off in Goma

A European Union delegation led by Hadja Lahbib has just begun a tour of the Great Lakes region to assess the humanitarian situation.

Kenya
Business community in the central region treads carefully amid rising tensions

With 18 months to go before the next presidential election, senior figures in the private sector, along with political and traditional leaders, are keen to avoid any direct confrontation with the head of state's camp in order to safeguard the region's economic interests.

West Africa
ECOWAS military chiefs heading to Freetown to debate future of standby force

The leaders of the region's armed forces will meet in the Sierra Leone capital in the coming weeks to launch the regional anti-terrorist force. The contingents made available to ECOWAS by each army will also be announced.

Palace Intrigues
Alassane Ouattara, Mahmoud Abbas, John Dramani Mahama, Emmanuel Macron

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

Ivory CoastAlassane Ouattara set for private visit to France

African UnionMahmoud Abbas sends replacement to summit

GhanaJohn Dramani Mahama invites Emmanuel Macron to Accra

Sudan
Berlin peace conference aims to avoid London mistakes

For the third year running, a European capital is hosting an international summit to try to push forward peace efforts in Sudan. With one eye on Donald Trump's Africa adviser Massad Boulos, who has promised a ceasefire, the German host is aiming to avoid any pitfalls.

Mauritania
Mohamed Ould Ghazouani expected on state visit to Paris

The Mauritanian president is set to travel in early April for a visit carrying strong symbolic weight, against a Sahelian backdrop marked by the erosion of French influence and Nouakchott's continued role as a key partner to France.

West Africa
ECOWAS 50th birthday bash cancelled in Lomé

The regional organisation's anniversary summit, scheduled to take place in the Togolese capital in 2026, had sparked intense debate from the outset. It will not take place after all.

DRC, Rwanda
Washington to take new steps against Paul Kagame's regime

Donald Trump's administration is working on a fresh set of sanctions for Rwanda, expected to target senior security officials. The US is demanding the withdrawal of M23 rebels from areas conquered since the signing of the peace agreement between Kinshasa and Kigali in December.

Palace Intrigues
William Ruto, Helen Zille, Brigitte Macron, Dominique Ouattara

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

KenyaUhuru Kenyatta and Gideon Moi's controversial phone call

South AfricaThe Democratic Alliance dodges drama

Ivory CoastBrigitte Macron and Dominique Ouattara get together again