William Bourdon

Cameroon
Government tries to retain control of opposition figure Ekane's funeral

As the ceremonies commemorating the activist who died in prison draw nearer, the Cameroonian authorities fear that the gatherings, which will be held on 8 and 9 May, could turn into a political forum.

Cameroon
Northern chiefdoms unsettled by Issa Tchiroma Bakary's rise in power

The last presidential election revealed the cracks and rivalries among local prominent figures who are members of Paul Biya's party. The upcoming cabinet reshuffle risks exacerbating tensions among them within a context of post-election management and appointments for coveted positions.

Central African Republic
UN attempts to defuse situation between Touadéra and opposition

With a candidate president on one side and wary opponents on the other, the UN has found itself at the heart of political rivalries in Bangui. Jean-Pierre Lacroix held a series of consultations during a visit to the country, ahead of an increasingly contested presidential election.

Central African Republic
Opposition candidate Dologuélé rallying support for presidential election

Faustin-Archange Touadéra's opponent has been rejected by several leaders of the main opposition platform, the BRDC, which continues to boycott the election. He is now turning to another figure in the Central African political scene.

Central African Republic
Opposition leader Anicet-Georges Dologuélé calls on services of lawyer William Bourdon

Faustin-Archange Touadéra's opponent, who is in a tricky legal situation, quietly contacted in late October a Paris-based criminal lawyer. The presidential bid of the head of the Union pour le Renouveau Centrafricain party remains fraught with uncertainty.

Madagascar
William Bourdon continues to plead "Lôla" case

French lawyer Wiliam Bourdon has sent a letter to Emmanuel Macron concerning his client, Franco-Malagasy journalist Rolland Hubert Rasoamaharo, also known as ‘Lôla’, who is being held in Antanimora prison.

Madagascar
The drivers behind Base Toliara mine project revival

Andry Rajoelina suspended the ilmenite megaproject in 2019 under pressure from local communities, but this time it enjoys solid local support.

Madagascar
Bourdon & Associés to represent journalist 'Lôla' Rasoamaharo

William Bourdon's law firm has agreed to handle Franco-Malagasy journalist Rolland Hubert Rasoamaharo's application for transfer to France.

Madagascar
Harry Rahajason plans counterattack with French lawyer William Bourdon

Madagascar's former communications minister, who has been in prison since 2020, was sentenced in February to 30 more months in detention following a complaint from the business magnate Mamy Ravatomanga. The French lawyer William Bourdon is representing him.

Gabon
Gabon given plaintiff status in 'ill-gotten gains' case

The Paris Court of Appeal has granted plaintiff status to the state of Gabon in the "Ill-gotten gains" case, making it the first country involved in the case to obtain that status and providing it with access to the investigation file.

France, Morocco
France to finally extradite Moroccan terror suspect 13 years after arrest warrant issued

Rachid Rafaa, whom Rabat wants to put on trial over his alleged work for Al Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, fled Morocco in 2009. France's highest administrative court has dismissed his appeal against a 2021 extradition ruling.

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou Nguesso, Nana Akufo-Addo, Karanja Kibicho, Félix Houphouët-Boigny

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

Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso wants Lotfi Bel Hadj's head

Ghana/France Nana Akufo-Addo's packed Paris stay

Kenya Securocrat Kibicho moves into luxury hotels

Ivory Coast Magnate Beydoun buys up Houphouët-Boigny's real estate assets

Guinea
Under pressure at home, Guinea's FNDC mobilises its European network

Ordered to disband this month by the ruling junta, the FNDC movement spearheading Guinea's wave of protests is mobilising its networks in Brussels and Paris. It aims to get EU sanctions passed against those it says were behind the crackdown on demonstrations on 28 and 29 July.

Central Africa, France
"Congo Hold-up" : France's financial prosecution service has begun investigating the BGFI

Gabon's BGFIBank group is being investigated by the French national financial prosecution service. The investigation concerns "suspect" movements of funds between its subsidiaries in the DRC and France.