National Security Council

DRC
Excluded candidate calls in FIFA over election of football federation head

A former Congolese football official is calling for an investigation into the election for the head of the national federation, scheduled for 20 May. Only one candidature, Véron Mosengo-Omba, former secretary general of the African Confederation, has been approved.

DRC
Glencore puts up $60m to settle tax dispute

With this payment, the Swiss trading giant brings to an end a tax dispute linked to alleged insurance fraud that had been dragging on for several years.

Kenya
Purge of oil top brass stirs unrest within the government

The president's allies are unhappy with the removal of senior officials after a scandal swept through the administration involving the importation of substandard petroleum products. They view it as a double standard, as two ministers, also accused of being involved, remain in their positions.

The New Guard
Nigeria, Niger, Central African Republic

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

NigeriaAyo Sopitan, trader turned miner

NigerSalim Gado, Tchiani's ambitious right-hand man

Central African RepublicWilliam Ndjapou, the rising adviser

Morocco
Rabat's US network helps keep up pressure on Polisario Front

Over the past several years, the kingdom has successfully built up a network of influence in the US capital, which now puts it in a position of strength in the negotiations over Western Sahara.

Kenya
Ruto's decision to reopen the Somali border catches Washington off guard

The Kenyan president's announcement was made without prior warning to his senior security officials, who work closely with US intelligence and security agencies. With terrorist attacks still proliferating on both sides of the frontier, the move is viewed as premature by many.

Congo
Fragmented campaign set-up for presidential elections

Weakened by internal divisions and palace infighting, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso's campaign is being prepared without, for the time being, calling on major international communications agencies.

Burkina Faso
Junta looks to UAE for military aircraft and helicopters

In order to negotiate for new air assets to combat armed groups, the Burkinabe authorities have been sending members of the intelligence services to Dubai.

DRC
From Washington to Kinshasa, fierce battle rages over takeover of mining gem

The fate of Chemaf, one of the last miners to escape Chinese influence, is the subject of intense competition involving US ambitions, Swiss traders' calculations and Congolese power brokers. The bid of American company Virtus Minerals has recently obtained the support of the US State Department.

DRC
Tshisekedi clan favours Ghana's Margins Group for biometric ID card contract

Discussions with the Accra-based firm are said to be drawing to a conclusion. The company can count on the support of several people in President Félix Tshisekedi's inner circle to clinch the lucrative deal.