Spotlight | West Africa
Paris Olympics: juntas posed diplomatic headache for French authorities

Sahel
AU on hunt for new Sahel special envoy

The African Union has been discussing the appointment of a special envoy for the Sahel and Rwanda has expressed an interest in the post.

Ivory Coast
Ouattara due to dine with Macron at the Élysée

Alassane Ouattara is set to dine and hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace in Paris on 30 August.

Madagascar
Andry Rajoelina to attend OIF summit

Though the president of Madagascar did not make it to the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the landing in Provence, France, he will attend the next OIF Summit, which will take place north of Paris on 4-5 October.

Senegal
Diomaye Faye to be special guest at Paris Olympics

The Senegalese president will also take part in a summit on sport co-organised by the Élysée and the IOC the day before.

Palace Intrigues
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Alassane Ouattara, Patrice Talon, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

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

Congo Sassou puts finishing touches on Congo Basin summit preparations

Ivory Coast Ouattara thinks twice about naming bridge after Gbagbo

Benin President's son Lionel Talon seeks to bring NBA to Cotonou

CAR Pro-Russian sports minister invited to Paris Olympics

Mali
Olympics committee on edge ahead of Games

Habib Sissoko, the chairman of Mali's national Olympics and sports committee, will be running to keep his seat on 6 July. But his position has already been contested by several sports federations, and he is also facing a financial investigation.

Angola
Luanda races against clock to comply with anti-doping code before Paris Olympic Games

Angola is doing all it can to be removed from the World Anti-Doping Agency's blacklist before the Paris Olympic Games start in July.

Mali
Gradual thaw in Paris-Bamako relations

France looks set to resume issuing visas to Malian nationals, stalled for several months. It is a potential first step towards normalising relations.