Independent National Electoral Commission

DRC
Tshisekedi's choice to replace Modeste Bahati in the Senate

The majority has identified a replacement for Modeste Bahati Lukwebo, who has resigned from his post as second vice-president of the Senate.

Madagascar
Fate of magistrates close to former president Rajoelina hang in the balance

The Higher Judicial Council has not approved the request for the continued employment of two magistrates known for their close ties to the former head of state.

Madagascar
Masonic trio splits off to form new lodge

Three Freemasons have resigned from the Grand Loge Traditionnelle et Symbolique de Madagascar federation to establish a new lodge in Antananarivo.

DRC
Joseph Kabila's curious excursion to Kampala

At Yoweri Museveni's invitation, Kabila made a discreet stopover in Kampala in mid-March. The trip coincided with a visit there by Corneille Nangaa, head of the Congo River Alliance. For several weeks, Kinshasa has been concerned about the links between these two men.

Madagascar
World Bank and IMF called in to rescue Madagascar's finances

President Rajoelina has had no choice but to turn to the Bretton Woods institutions to bail out the country's economy, burdened largely by debt and subsidies to the oil and utilities sectors.

Palace Intrigues
Azali Assoumani, Jean-Pierre Bemba, Abdourahamane Tchiani, Bobi Wine

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

ComorosOutgoing AU chair Assoumani aims for Sahel tour

DRCElectoral commission boss berated by Bemba

NigerBattle for ambassador's Paris residence

UgandaBobi Wine prepares his political comeback in music

Madagascar
Former Malagasy minister turns down UN post

Prior to Sarah Rabearisoa's election in late December to head the office of the African Women Leaders Network, it was former foreign affairs minister Béatrice Attalah who had been approached by the UNDP's Chief Technical Advisor.

Madagascar
Andry Rajoelina's investiture to be brought forward

Rumours that Andry Rajoelina's investiture as Madagascar's president will be brought forward have been confirmed.

DRC
$20m loan at heart of Afriland arbitration case against Kinshasa

Afriland First Bank has taken the Congolese state to arbitration, accusing it of having expropriated its subsidiary in the DRC. It is also looking to find out why a $20m loan made to a company reputed to be close to the DRC authorities was, allegedly, never repaid.

DRC
Congolese courts quash two former warlords' candidacies

Two candidates in the legislative elections in Ituri province have been declared ineligible by the DRC's Constitutional Court. The grounds were that they had been convicted of war crimes by the International Criminal Court and the military courts.

DRC
CENI turns down international offer to audit electoral roll

Rather than accept an offer by four organisations - among them the African Union and UN - the DRC's electoral commission has called for expressions of interest in conducting an audit of the country's electoral register.