Spotlight | Central African Republic
Touadéra secretly negotiating security deal with private US contractor

Central African Republic
Touadéra entrusts training of his new Rapid Intervention Battalion to Rwandan soldiers

Like Cameroon, the Central African Republic has established a Rapid Intervention Battalion, comprising 500 troops, mostly trained by the Rwandan army.

Central African Republic
US and Russia clash at UN Security Council over Bangui's overflight ban

The meeting that followed the UN Security Council presentation of MINUSCA's most recent situation report on the Central African Republic revealed tensions concerning the overflight ban imposed by the country.

Central African Republic
US citizens still being turned back at Bangui airport

The US embassy in Bangui appears impotent in the face of a spate of US citizens being denied entry upon arrival at the CAR capital's airport.

Central African Republic
Wagner's Valery Zakharov makes discreet return to Bangui

Faustin-Archange Touadéra's former adviser Valery Zakharov orchestrated a top secret return to the CAR in recent weeks after a two-year absence. The ex-Russian intelligence officer is now under international sanctions, including from the US.

Central African Republic
Lawyer Chiaradia-Bousquet wins case against French state

On 20 November, the Paris court of appeal upheld a ruling ordering the French state to pay the French business lawyer Jean-Pierre Chiaradia-Bousquet €42,000 in damages.

Palace Intrigues
Emmanuel Macron, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Dan Gertler, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

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

FranceMacron's new ‘Mr Africa' to start in January

GabonOmer Laviv, Dan Gertler's go-between with Oligui Nguema

Central African RepublicRussian deputy defence minister misses Touadéra on Bangui stopover

LibyaParis embassy diplomat chastised by Quai d'Orsay

Central African Republic
US nationals increasingly hassled at Bangui airport

Since October, on several occasions, US nationals have been stopped by border police at Bangui-M'Poko airport upon attempting to enter the Central African Republic.

Central African Republic
Touadéra expected in Riyadh for Arab League-AU summit

On 10 and 11 November, the Saudi Arabia-Africa and the Arab League-African Union summits are due to be held back-to-back in Riyadh.

Africa
French operators bag €100m in EU security contracts in Africa

Expertise France, l'Economat des Armées and DCI are the main beneficiaries of the EU's European Peace Facility for missions in Africa.