In Focus | West Africa
From Abidjan to Doha: the secret missions of former minister Djibrill Bassolé

West Africa
UN's West Africa head visited Élysée to talk junta sanctions

During a trip to Paris and Brussels, UNOWAS's Leonardo Santos Simao, held talks with officials, calling for a reduction in the sanctions against Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger's juntas.

West Africa
Paris presents military restructuring plan to African presidencies

The Elysée and the defence ministry have been holding discreet consultations with a handful of African "partners" to present the reorganisation of France's military presence on the continent.

Burkina Faso
Damiba's downfall could disrupt major international arts and crafts conference

A 26-member committee that steers the development of African arts and handicraft is meant to meet in Ouagadougou at the end of this month. Although this sector accounts for a third of Burkina Faso's GDP, the 30 September coup could affect the important gathering.

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou Nguesso, Mohamed Bazoum, Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba, Faure Gnassingbé, Moïse Katumbi

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

Congo Sassou purchases self-promotion in Paris

Niger/Burkina Faso Bazoum orders Colonel Damiba to dress in civilian clothes

Togo Gnassingbé plans to build new ministerial district in Lomé

DR Congo Moïse Katumbi's discreet lobbying in Paris

West Africa
Ouagadougou ponders G5 Sahel membership after Mali's exit

Ces dernières semaines, la question sensible de l'appartenance du Burkina Faso au cadre de coopération sécuritaire et de développement du G5 Sahel a été abordée durant au moins trois conseil des ministres.

Spotlight | Chad
Middleman Chafi comes to Qatar's rescue in the Chadian 'pre-dialogue' process in Doha

The best-connected intermediary in the Sahel, Mustapha Chafi, has been asked by Qatar to try to get the Chadian "pre-dialogue" process back on the rails, as it drags on without result to the despair of the authorities.

Burkina Faso
Blaise Compaore in an impasse

The sentencing of his lieutenants Djibril Yipene Bassole and Gilbert [...]

In Focus | Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger
Kabore follows Compaore's example and talks to the Jihadists

Burkinabe president Roch Kabore, who is receiving generous subsidies to help him combat the radical groups operating on his borders, is conducting parallel negotiations with the very Jihadists he is supposed to be fighting. In so doing, he is following the example set by his predecessor, Blaise Compaore, whose entourage never broke contact with the armed Jihadi groups.