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DRC
Kinshasa's thorny Kyiv-Moscow balancing act over armaments

The DRC is in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine to equip its growing army as it steps up its fight against rebel groups in the East. With tensions high over the Ukraine conflict, and Kyiv showing a keen interest in the Congolese army's Soviet arsenal, Kinshasa is having to tread carefully between the two warring nations under the West's watchful eye.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 02.10.2023
The DRC is in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine to equip its growing army as it steps up its fight against rebel groups in the East.

DRC
Kinshasa's thorny Kyiv-Moscow balancing act over armaments

The DRC is in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine to equip its growing army as it steps up its fight against rebel groups in the East.
The DRC is in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine to equip its growing army as it steps up its fight against rebel groups in the East. © Imago/Alamy banque d'images - Angelos Tzortzinis/AFP - Russian Government/Alamy Stock Photo - Media_works/Shutterstock - Sergey Ryzhov/Alamy banque d'images - Cafe Racer/Shutterstock - Design: Studio Pachamama

The DRC is in negotiations with both Russia and Ukraine to equip its growing army as it steps up its fight against rebel groups in the East. With tensions high over the Ukraine conflict, and Kyiv showing a keen interest in the Congolese army's Soviet arsenal, Kinshasa is having to tread carefully between the two warring nations under the West's watchful eye.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 02.10.2023

Egypt
The rise of militia businessman Arjani

Ibrahim al-Arjani has rapidly risen to become one of the most powerful men in Egypt, from marshalling pro-government militias to fighting Islamists in his native North Sinai to expanding his business conglomerate's activities into the heart of the Nile Valley thanks to his proximity to the presidential Sisi clan.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Business 25.09.2023
Egyptian businessman Ibrahim al-Arjani.

Egypt
The rise of militia businessman Arjani

Egyptian businessman Ibrahim al-Arjani.
Egyptian businessman Ibrahim al-Arjani. © Egyptian Defence Ministry/AFP/Organi-Group.com/Guenter Albers/Shutterstock/Studio Pachamama

Ibrahim al-Arjani has rapidly risen to become one of the most powerful men in Egypt, from marshalling pro-government militias to fighting Islamists in his native North Sinai to expanding his business conglomerate's activities into the heart of the Nile Valley thanks to his proximity to the presidential Sisi clan.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Business 25.09.2023

DRC
Tshisekedi keeps close eye on Kabila ahead of presidential elections

Since the summer, Félix Tshisekedi's inner circle has been discreetly trying to resume talks with his predecessor's entourage. To this end, both camps have sought the support of the Togolese head of state Faure Gnassingbé.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 19.09.2023
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and his predecessor Joseph Kabila.

DRC
Tshisekedi keeps close eye on Kabila ahead of presidential elections

Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and his predecessor Joseph Kabila.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and his predecessor Joseph Kabila. © Zinyange Auntony/AFP - Luis Tato/AFP - Montage : Studio Pachamama

Since the summer, Félix Tshisekedi's inner circle has been discreetly trying to resume talks with his predecessor's entourage. To this end, both camps have sought the support of the Togolese head of state Faure Gnassingbé.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 19.09.2023

Guinea
Inside the business of illegal fishing testing the Beijing-Conakry axis

Guinea's industrial fishing sector is dominated by a myriad of Chinese firms, many of which are involved in illegal practices. The government is hoping that improved coastal surveillance will curb a phenomenon that is costing the Guinean economy millions of dollars in lost revenue.

LogoSubscribers only Business, Diplomacy 18.09.2023
Charlotte Daffé, Minister for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Maritime Economy.

Guinea
Inside the business of illegal fishing testing the Beijing-Conakry axis

Charlotte Daffé, Minister for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Maritime Economy.
Charlotte Daffé, Minister for Fisheries, Aquaculture and the Maritime Economy. © Sean Gallup/Getty via AFP/Gouvernement de la République de Guinée/YouTube/Cellou Binani/AFP/Ozkan Bilgin/Anadolu agency via AFP/MoreISO/Ulimi/iStock Montage : Studio Pachamama

Guinea's industrial fishing sector is dominated by a myriad of Chinese firms, many of which are involved in illegal practices. The government is hoping that improved coastal surveillance will curb a phenomenon that is costing the Guinean economy millions of dollars in lost revenue.

LogoSubscribers only Business, Diplomacy 18.09.2023

Niger
Niger junta deploys propaganda machine to win popular support

The Niger junta has set up a propaganda machine to rally support among the population in the face of hostility from the West and the regional ECOWAS bloc. To achieve this, it forged alliances with figures hostile to France and the regional organisation.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 11.09.2023
From left to right: Maïkoul Zodi, coordinator of the Niamey office of the TLP movement; the transition president, Abdourhamane Tchiani; Abdoulaye Seydou, coordinator of the M62; and General Salifou Modi.

Niger
Niger junta deploys propaganda machine to win popular support

From left to right: Maïkoul Zodi, coordinator of the Niamey office of the TLP movement; the transition president, Abdourhamane Tchiani; Abdoulaye Seydou, coordinator of the M62; and General Salifou Modi.
From left to right: Maïkoul Zodi, coordinator of the Niamey office of the TLP movement; the transition president, Abdourhamane Tchiani; Abdoulaye Seydou, coordinator of the M62; and General Salifou Modi. © Télé Sahel/Operation 2022/SOPA Images/Alamy/Joël Saget/AFP/ke77kz/istock Montage : Studio Pachamama

The Niger junta has set up a propaganda machine to rally support among the population in the face of hostility from the West and the regional ECOWAS bloc. To achieve this, it forged alliances with figures hostile to France and the regional organisation.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 11.09.2023

DRC
NB Mining affair: bumpy road ahead for opposition candidate Katumbi in run up to presidential elections

Africa Intelligence has gained access to previously unpublished documents that shed harsh new light on the legal battle over the assets of NB Mining that pits Congolese politician Moïse Katumbi against French businessman Pascal Beveraggi.

LogoSubscribers only Mining, Politics 04.09.2023
For nearly three years, Pascal Beveraggi has been engaged in an all-out hunt for the funds, debts and assets recovered by his great rival Moïse Katumbi.

DRC
NB Mining affair: bumpy road ahead for opposition candidate Katumbi in run up to presidential elections

For nearly three years, Pascal Beveraggi has been engaged in an all-out hunt for the funds, debts and assets recovered by his great rival Moïse Katumbi.
For nearly three years, Pascal Beveraggi has been engaged in an all-out hunt for the funds, debts and assets recovered by his great rival Moïse Katumbi. © Pictures : Emmet Livingstone/AFP/Justin Makangara/Anadolu Agency via AFP/FC Saint Eloi Lupopo officiel Texture : Aleksandr Matveev/Alamy Design : Studio Pachamama

Africa Intelligence has gained access to previously unpublished documents that shed harsh new light on the legal battle over the assets of NB Mining that pits Congolese politician Moïse Katumbi against French businessman Pascal Beveraggi.

LogoSubscribers only Mining, Politics 04.09.2023

Africa
TotalEnergies boss Patrick Pouyanné plans to keep his successors waiting in the wings

At 60, the CEO and chairman of the oil major is not planning to give up his role any time soon. Instead, he intends to let the competition play out between the small handful of potential candidates for a few more years, before taking his leave.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 28.08.2023
Around TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné (from left to right and top to bottom): Olivier Jouny, Stéphane Michel, Arnaud Le Foll and Julien Pouget.

Africa
TotalEnergies boss Patrick Pouyanné plans to keep his successors waiting in the wings

Around TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné (from left to right and top to bottom): Olivier Jouny, Stéphane Michel, Arnaud Le Foll and Julien Pouget.
Around TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné (from left to right and top to bottom): Olivier Jouny, Stéphane Michel, Arnaud Le Foll and Julien Pouget. © Photos : Abaca Press/André Pinto/Alamy/LinkedIn/Totalenergies.com/Waltraud Grubitzsch via AFP. Visuel : Dmitriy Chistyakov/Alamy. Design: Studio Pachamama

At 60, the CEO and chairman of the oil major is not planning to give up his role any time soon. Instead, he intends to let the competition play out between the small handful of potential candidates for a few more years, before taking his leave.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 28.08.2023

Niger
Former President Mahamadou Issoufou's fingerprints all over Niger coup

Whether President Bazoum's predecessor played a part in the July coup continues to generate considerable speculation in West African capitals. Yet although Issoufou denies any sort of role, his closeness to junta leader Tchiani remains indisputable.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 21.08.2023
Mahamadou Issoufou in December 2018.

Niger
Former President Mahamadou Issoufou's fingerprints all over Niger coup

Mahamadou Issoufou in December 2018.
Mahamadou Issoufou in December 2018. © Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters

Whether President Bazoum's predecessor played a part in the July coup continues to generate considerable speculation in West African capitals. Yet although Issoufou denies any sort of role, his closeness to junta leader Tchiani remains indisputable.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 21.08.2023

Niger
ECOWAS, US and EU united front begins to crack

Investigative report published on 10/08/23 at 10.50 GMT - There is no longer a consensus within the West African community and its Western partners on restoring ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power, an ultimatum that had been imposed on the coup leaders.

LogoSubscribers only Diplomacy 10.08.2023
Supporters of the Niger coup in a stadium in Niamey, 6 August 2023.

Niger
ECOWAS, US and EU united front begins to crack

Supporters of the Niger coup in a stadium in Niamey, 6 August 2023.
Supporters of the Niger coup in a stadium in Niamey, 6 August 2023. © Mahamadou Hamidou/Reuters

Investigative report published on 10/08/23 at 10.50 GMT - There is no longer a consensus within the West African community and its Western partners on restoring ousted President Mohamed Bazoum to power, an ultimatum that had been imposed on the coup leaders.

LogoSubscribers only Diplomacy 10.08.2023

Niger
Nigerien junta's secret alliances with Bamako and Ouagadougou

Investigative report published on 03/08/2023 at 11h46 - For several days now, the new Nigerien junta has been working to strengthen its ties with its counterparts in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso. Official channels have been open since 26 July, but Africa Intelligence can now reveal that initial contacts were made before the putsch, coordinated by former army chief Salifou Modi.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 02.08.2023
Abdourahamane Tchiani and other army commanders, in Niamey, on 28 July 2023.

Niger
Nigerien junta's secret alliances with Bamako and Ouagadougou

Abdourahamane Tchiani and other army commanders, in Niamey, on 28 July 2023.
Abdourahamane Tchiani and other army commanders, in Niamey, on 28 July 2023. © Balima Boureima / ANADOLU AGENCY / Anadolu Agency via AFP

Investigative report published on 03/08/2023 at 11h46 - For several days now, the new Nigerien junta has been working to strengthen its ties with its counterparts in neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso. Official channels have been open since 26 July, but Africa Intelligence can now reveal that initial contacts were made before the putsch, coordinated by former army chief Salifou Modi.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 02.08.2023

Libya
Eastern Libya proves lucrative for Assad clan

Benghazi and Damascus have grown closer and more aligned in the last five years. Yet it's an alliance shrouded in secrecy, and the only ones profiting from it are businessmen in Syria's and eastern Libya's most powerful circles.

LogoSubscribers only Business 24.07.2023
In the foreground, Saddam Haftar and Maher al-Assad. Behind them, Khalifa Haftar and Bashar al-Assad.

Libya
Eastern Libya proves lucrative for Assad clan

In the foreground, Saddam Haftar and Maher al-Assad. Behind them, Khalifa Haftar and Bashar al-Assad.
In the foreground, Saddam Haftar and Maher al-Assad. Behind them, Khalifa Haftar and Bashar al-Assad. © Pictures : Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry/Anadolu Agency via AFP /Abaca Press/Constantinos Pliakos/Alamy/Twitter/Safin Hamid/AFP/Virginie Nguyen Hoang/Hans Lucas via AFP/SANA/Tor Eigeland/Alamy Graphic design : Studio Pachamama

Benghazi and Damascus have grown closer and more aligned in the last five years. Yet it's an alliance shrouded in secrecy, and the only ones profiting from it are businessmen in Syria's and eastern Libya's most powerful circles.

LogoSubscribers only Business 24.07.2023

Congo
From Milan to Pointe-Noire, the secrets of the powerful 'ENI family'

Nicknamed "the most African of majors", the Italian energy company ENI has made the Congo a central hub where big contracts and family affairs flourish, fortified by close ties to President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. The group is set to invest several billions of dollars in a liquefied natural gas export project, with the blessings of the Congolese and Italian governments, brought closer by the gas giant.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 17.07.2023
ENI, the most Congolese of majors.

Congo
From Milan to Pointe-Noire, the secrets of the powerful 'ENI family'

ENI, the most Congolese of majors.
ENI, the most Congolese of majors. © Montage Studio Pachamama // eni.com // Ludovic Marin/AFP // ingobadescalzi.com // Exmar Group/YouTube // Lukasz Szwaj-ArtKio/Shutterstock

Nicknamed "the most African of majors", the Italian energy company ENI has made the Congo a central hub where big contracts and family affairs flourish, fortified by close ties to President Denis Sassou-Nguesso. The group is set to invest several billions of dollars in a liquefied natural gas export project, with the blessings of the Congolese and Italian governments, brought closer by the gas giant.

LogoSubscribers only Energy 17.07.2023

Sudan
Fugitive NCP veteran Ali Karti ready to pounce from the shadows

Ali Ahmed Karti, once a devotee of the late Hassan Turabi and the unchallenged leader of Sudan's Islamic political movement, is one of the richest men in Sudan. After four years on the run, he has reappeared in the thick of the war between the regular army and a paramilitary force - and he intends to make the most of the opportunities this presents.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 10.07.2023
From left: Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Omar al-Bashir, Ali Karti and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.

Sudan
Fugitive NCP veteran Ali Karti ready to pounce from the shadows

From left: Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Omar al-Bashir, Ali Karti and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo.
From left: Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Omar al-Bashir, Ali Karti and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. © Alexander Nemenov/Ashraf Shazly/Rabih Moghrabi/Khaled Desouki/AFP / El Tayeb Siddig/Reuters / Jurgita Vaicikeviciene/Alamy / Omar Marques/Getty via AFP / Studio Pachamama

Ali Ahmed Karti, once a devotee of the late Hassan Turabi and the unchallenged leader of Sudan's Islamic political movement, is one of the richest men in Sudan. After four years on the run, he has reappeared in the thick of the war between the regular army and a paramilitary force - and he intends to make the most of the opportunities this presents.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 10.07.2023

Africa
A silent war wages in Dubai over Ukrainian Motor Sich's lucrative African contracts

A small Emirati company linked to the major Ukrainian aeronautical conglomerate Motor Sich is currently subject to an intense tug-of-war between the Ukrainian authorities and oligarchs that Kyiv claims are linked to Russia. At stake are the sizeable profits of a Ukrainian military equipment company.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 03.07.2023
Ukrainian Motor Sich's lucrative African contracts.

Africa
A silent war wages in Dubai over Ukrainian Motor Sich's lucrative African contracts

Ukrainian Motor Sich's lucrative African contracts.
Ukrainian Motor Sich's lucrative African contracts. © Montage : Studio Pachamama Sources : Bob Daemmrich/NTSB/Stocktrek Images/Gary Stedman/Eye35.pix/Quality Stock/Alamy/Henglein and Steets/Cultura Creative/Cultura Creative via AFP

A small Emirati company linked to the major Ukrainian aeronautical conglomerate Motor Sich is currently subject to an intense tug-of-war between the Ukrainian authorities and oligarchs that Kyiv claims are linked to Russia. At stake are the sizeable profits of a Ukrainian military equipment company.

LogoSubscribers only Defence 03.07.2023

West Africa
Battle over the future chair of ECOWAS

The Guinea-Bissau president's hopes of a second term at the ECOWAS helm could well be dashed. The West African regional group, weakened by a series of coups in its member states and by a spat over whether national presidents should be allowed to serve a third term, is looking at several other potential candidates.

LogoSubscribers only Diplomacy 26.06.2023
The battle to find the next president of ECOWAS has begun.

West Africa
Battle over the future chair of ECOWAS

The battle to find the next president of ECOWAS has begun.
The battle to find the next president of ECOWAS has begun. © Studio Pachamama // © Olukayode Jaiyeola/Nurphoto/Nurphoto via AFP // © Tunisian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu Agency/ Anadolu Agency via AFP // © Umit Donmez/Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via AFP // © Issouf Sanogo/AFP // © Cedeao

The Guinea-Bissau president's hopes of a second term at the ECOWAS helm could well be dashed. The West African regional group, weakened by a series of coups in its member states and by a spat over whether national presidents should be allowed to serve a third term, is looking at several other potential candidates.

LogoSubscribers only Diplomacy 26.06.2023

DRC
Environment minister Eve Bazaiba at loggerheads with Congo's forestry barons

Under pressure from international backers, environment minister Bazaiba is trying to spruce up DRC's forestry sector, long left to its own devices. A dozen Chinese, Congolese and European companies are in breach of existing regulations.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 19.06.2023
Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba, Congolese General Gabriel Amisi and Mongala Governor César Limbaya.

DRC
Environment minister Eve Bazaiba at loggerheads with Congo's forestry barons

Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba, Congolese General Gabriel Amisi and Mongala Governor César Limbaya.
Environment Minister Eve Bazaiba, Congolese General Gabriel Amisi and Mongala Governor César Limbaya. © Studio Pachamama/Ana Guyot/David Himbert/Helen Vesperini/AFP/César Limbaya/Twitter / Martin Harvey/Mike Goldwater/Alamy

Under pressure from international backers, environment minister Bazaiba is trying to spruce up DRC's forestry sector, long left to its own devices. A dozen Chinese, Congolese and European companies are in breach of existing regulations.

LogoSubscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 19.06.2023

South Africa
State-owned PetroSA in death throes as national energy crisis persists

PetroSA has been fighting for survival since its Mossel Bay refinery shut in 2020. Its crisis has deepened in recent months, with a lack of funds preventing urgent maintenance work on high-risk infrastructure. Company documents seen by Africa Intelligence paint a grim picture of an almost bankrupt firm hobbled by inept management and an allegedly cavalier chairman, Nkululeko Poya.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Politics 12.06.2023
PetroSA interim chairman Nkululeko Poya, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South Africa
State-owned PetroSA in death throes as national energy crisis persists

PetroSA interim chairman Nkululeko Poya, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and President Cyril Ramaphosa.
PetroSA interim chairman Nkululeko Poya, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and President Cyril Ramaphosa. © LinkedIn / Made Nagi/AFP / Childa Santrucek/Panther Media GmbH / Valentyn Volkov/Alamy / PetroSA

PetroSA has been fighting for survival since its Mossel Bay refinery shut in 2020. Its crisis has deepened in recent months, with a lack of funds preventing urgent maintenance work on high-risk infrastructure. Company documents seen by Africa Intelligence paint a grim picture of an almost bankrupt firm hobbled by inept management and an allegedly cavalier chairman, Nkululeko Poya.

LogoSubscribers only Energy, Politics 12.06.2023

Central African Republic
Zhao Baomei, Central African Republic's Chinese mining queen

Zhao Baomei has established herself as a key figure in the Central African Republic's mining sector. The mysterious and formidable Chinese businesswoman owes her success to her networks and her sharp business practices.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 05.06.2023
Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Brigitte Touadéra, Zhao Baomei.

Central African Republic
Zhao Baomei, Central African Republic's Chinese mining queen

Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Brigitte Touadéra, Zhao Baomei.
Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Brigitte Touadéra, Zhao Baomei. © Montage Studio Pachamama // Indigo Publications // Barbara Debout/AFP // Aleks Taurus/Alamy banque d'images // Lukasz Szwaj/Shutterstock

Zhao Baomei has established herself as a key figure in the Central African Republic's mining sector. The mysterious and formidable Chinese businesswoman owes her success to her networks and her sharp business practices.

LogoSubscribers only Mining 05.06.2023

Togo
Lomé's delicate bid for military and diplomatic balance between Moscow and the West

Togo, faced with increasingly frequent attacks by jihadists from the Sahel, wants to speed up acquisition of military equipment for its army. Faure Gnassingbé's government has turned to Moscow, purchasing attack helicopters, and is also getting help from Washington and London, much to France's chagrin.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 29.05.2023
Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé.

Togo
Lomé's delicate bid for military and diplomatic balance between Moscow and the West

Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé.
Togolese president Faure Gnassingbé. © Studio Pachamama

Togo, faced with increasingly frequent attacks by jihadists from the Sahel, wants to speed up acquisition of military equipment for its army. Faure Gnassingbé's government has turned to Moscow, purchasing attack helicopters, and is also getting help from Washington and London, much to France's chagrin.

LogoSubscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 29.05.2023

Guinea
On the trail of Papa Fofana, Mamadi Doumbouya's enigmatic adviser

Right after his rise to power, Guinea's transition president Mamadi Doumbouya appointed a longstanding acquaintance, known as Papa Fofana, as one of his closest advisers. With a shadowy past and an ever-tightening grip on the country's administration, he now plays a key role in a wide range of strategic projects.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 22.05.2023
Mamadi Doumbouya, Fodé Amadou Fofana, Waleed bin Abdulkarim al-Khuraiji.

Guinea
On the trail of Papa Fofana, Mamadi Doumbouya's enigmatic adviser

Mamadi Doumbouya, Fodé Amadou Fofana, Waleed bin Abdulkarim al-Khuraiji.
Mamadi Doumbouya, Fodé Amadou Fofana, Waleed bin Abdulkarim al-Khuraiji. © Studio Pachamama // © Xinhua/Xinhua News Agency/Newscom/MaxPPP // Saudi Press Agency // © mtcurado/iStock // © incamerastock/Alamy

Right after his rise to power, Guinea's transition president Mamadi Doumbouya appointed a longstanding acquaintance, known as Papa Fofana, as one of his closest advisers. With a shadowy past and an ever-tightening grip on the country's administration, he now plays a key role in a wide range of strategic projects.

LogoSubscribers only Politics 22.05.2023

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