Diplomacy

Palace Intrigues
Ousmane Sonko, Tony Elumelu, Alassane Ouattara

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

SenegalSonko's wife Anna Diamanka pays incognito visit to Paris

NigeriaUBA boss Tony Elumelu's evening at Palais Garnier cancelled

Ivory CoastAlassane Ouattara's private trip to France

Ivory Coast
Economy minister backs major Gulf-Africa event in Abidjan

With the full support of Nialé Kaba, Gravitas Sovereign and Strategic Advisory is working to hold the event with the Gulf Cooperation Council in Abidjan next February.

Djibouti
Djibouti negotiates down payment before ratifying new military treaty with Paris

The port republic, which had negotiated a significant increase in the rent that Paris pays under the new cooperation agreement, has obtained an advance payment for this year.

Morocco
Mohammed VI installs Benchaâboun at Maroc Telecom to please Abu Dhabi

Maroc Telecom, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi, has a new boss, former economy minister Mohamed Benchaâboun.

Tanzania
As elections approach, embassies wary of return of surprise tax demands

The diplomatic community in Tanzania has taken up the issue of unannounced tax audits, which hit companies during the last local elections. Yet the tax commission appointed by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, which was supposed to clarify the legal position, has been slow to deliver its conclusions.

Africa
US embassies in Africa braced for massive cuts

US diplomacy is not immune to the Trump administration's vast cost-cutting exercice, with some diplomatic jobs and missions facing possible closure.

Central Africa
Central African states scramble for AU trade and education commissioner jobs

Central African nations are jockeying for the African Union's trade and education commissioner posts, which are the region's by right. Burundi, DR Congo, São Tomé and Príncipe and the Central African Republic have all fielded candidates, alongside Equatorial Guinea, Chad.

DRC
Kinshasa hopes US congressman visit will make up for missed Washington meeting

Despite a missed meeting that was due to take place in early March in Washington, the DR Congo is hoping to convince the United States to support it in its battle with M23 rebels. It will make its case during a special visit from a US congressman later this month.

The New Guard
Libya, Somalia, South Africa

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

LibyaAhmed Albibas, civil rights champion

SomaliaFathi Bashe, youth ambassador for the Horn of Africa

South AfricaMqokeleli Gomba, chief engineer at Richards Bay