OIF

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.

Egypt
French unis and business schools make major moves into Egypt's lucrative private education sector

New educational facilities worth tens of millions of euros are to open in the Egyptian capital. Paris's policy of promoting French language learning is facilitating this move in a growing sector.

Africa
Louise Mushikiwabo tussles with Canada over OIF funding

After Ottawa cut a funding package worth three million Canadian dollars, the OIF head fired off a letter directly criticising the Canadian ambassador to France.

DRC
EU considers logistics of an election observation mission

Africa Intelligence understands that an EU delegation is due to visit Kinshasa in June. That delegation will be charged with identifying the requirements in view of the elections scheduled for the end of 2023.

Africa
Francophonie chief Louise Mushikiwabo imposes her choice of number two on Canada

The appointment on 21 March of Québécoise Caroline St-Hilaire as number two in the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie under Rwanda's Louise Mushikiwabo was only a half-victory for Canada.

Africa
MP Bruno Fuchs wins battle for Francophonie assembly

After several months of negotiations within France's presidential majority, the Modem party MP Bruno Fuchs is to be appointed on 22 March as secretary general of the parliamentary assembly of the Francophonie, the club of French-speaking nations.

Palace Intrigues
Louise Mushikiwabo, Sameh Shoukry, Catherine Colonna, Abderrahim Atmoun, André de Ruyter and Pierre Haik

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

GabonOIF shuns One Forest Summit

EgyptMinisters Sameh Shoukry and Catherine Colonna fail to meet in Geneva

MoroccoAbderrahim Atmoun, ambassador in Warsaw and hotel owner in Paris

South AfricaFormer Eskom boss's accusations rattle ANC

France/AfricaVIP turnout for French lawyer Pierre Haik's funeral

France
French armed forces ministry provides think tanks with welcome business

A handful of European think tanks have been monopolising contracts with France's armed forces ministry. Their experts are supposed to afford an outsider's perspective on France's activities on the continent.

Egypt, Morocco
French-speaking nations club OIF helps firms set up in Cairo and Casablanca

The French-speaking nations club OIF is organising business prospection trips to Cairo and Casablanca to attract entrepreneurs and investors from French-speaking regions to the two cities. The OIF is targeting the agri-food, renewable energy and digital sectors.

Morocco
Diplomatic malaise sets in between Rabat and Tunis

Ahead of the 18-20 November Francophonie summit in Djerba, Tunisia, Rabat is questioning its level of representation. Its relationship with Tunis remains dire.

Tunisia
Francophonie summit programme shapes up

The 38th Francophonie summit bringing together 88 member states and governments from the International Francophonie Organisation, the OIF, will begin, as planned, on 18 November in Djerba in Tunisia.

France
Question mark over Macron's presence at OIF summit

Less than three weeks from the Organisation internationale de la francophonie (OIF) summit on the Tunisian island of Djerba, France's president Emmanuel Macron has still not definitely confirmed his attendance.

European Union, Tunisia
EU justice commissioner to visit Tunis

EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders will visit Tunis on 11 November. He is expected to meet Tunisian head of government, Najla Bouden, as well as Minister of Justice, Leïla Jaffel.

Tunisia
Tunisian public works sector plans to invest €11bn on roads

Tunisia's tight government budget has not got the best of the Ministry of Equipment's grand plans. Encouraged by the national federation of building and public works contractors, it wants to invest 35 billion dinars (nearly €11bn) by 2035.

Tunisia
Hesitant Trudeau finally agrees to attend Francophonie summit in Djerba

Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau, who has finally agreed to the Francophonie summit being held as planned in Tunisia, will travel to Djerba in November. Emmanuel Macron played a key role behind the scenes in persuading him.

Algeria, France
After a slow start, Medef turns to Tebboune-era employers' organisation CREA

On the sidelines of the Franco-Algerian high-level intergovernmental committee held in Algiers on 9 and 10 October, Medef vice-president Fabrice Le Saché had a long discussion with Kamel Moula, president of the Algerian Economic Renewal Council, CREA.