Central African Republic
Paris mulls resuming financial aid to Bangui

Central African Republic
Wagner in show of force to counter France-CAR rapprochement

France and the Central African Republic's improving of relations is coming up against Russian diplomatic and propaganda counter-offensives. Meanwhile, the mercenary group Wagner is resurgent in the African country.

Central African Republic
European Union swaps out Spain's Altair for Expertise France

The French agency Expertise France is preparing to return to Bangui to help the CAR government in the fields of justice and public finance.

Central African Republic
Orange Centrafrique faces eviction over rent arrears

The commercial court in Bangui has found against the French operator over contractual failings and unpaid rent. Orange may soon have to leave the building it has occupied since 2007.

Central African Republic
First setback for Bancroft in Bangui

An employee of the private US security company was briefly arrested and interrogated by the police, with the involvement of Russian paramilitaries, in the Central African capital.

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.

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
EU considers resumption of financial aid to Bangui

The European Union has not ruled out resuming financial support for Central African Republic. An EU delegation was in Bangui last week to discuss how it might resume the payment of budgetary support, estimated at €30m.

Central African Republic, France
Paris jumps into action after French peacekeepers' arrest

The arrest of four French soldiers on 21 February has raised tensions between Bangui and Paris. The French foreign ministry has sent several messages to the president's office in CAR calling for their release and on 22 February it suspended the delivery of all new visas for France.

Central African Republic
As Russian influence grows, EU mulls aid suspension, following Paris's lead

As Russian paramilitary group Wagner continues to extend its influence in the Central African Republic, the European Union is considering suspending payment of an upcoming €30m tranche of budget aid to the government.