Faustin Archange Touadera

Palace Intrigues
Andry Rajoelina, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Faustin-Archange Touadéra, Emmanuel Macron

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

MadagascarRajoelina puts on fine spread for Macron

CongoDenis Sassou Nguesso to skip his son's wedding in Dubai

Central African RepublicWelcome gardening leave for Minister of Energy Arthur Bertrand Piri

Central African Republic
President Touadéra refuses red card for national football team

Sports minister, Héritier Doneng, has proposed banning the Central African national team from playing in international competitions.

Chad, Sudan
The winding arms supply routes from Beijing to N'Djamena via Abu Dhabi

Chad has taken delivery of the latest generation of Chinese anti-aircraft defence systems. They were supplied by the UAE, which is regularly criticised over their support for the Rapid Support Forces that are battling the regular Sudanese army in the civil war.

Central African Republic
Wagner launches recruitment drive in the north

The Russian group's paramilitaries have begun training young militiamen from the Gula ethnic group to extend their control and secure their interests in the Vakaga prefecture, on the border with Sudan and Chad.

Central African Republic
Sani Yalo, number one financial backer for Touadéra's re-election campaign

As Faustin-Archange Touadéra prepares for the end of year vote, his party activists have raised €300,000 in support of his candidacy. Minister of State Yalo donated almost a quarter of that sum.

Central African Republic
Ex-PM Dondra's two brothers arrested amid settling of scores

Against a backdrop of political and personal tensions, the two men were arrested in Bangui and remain behind bars. The businessman Sani Yalo, who is close to President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, appears to be the éminence grise in the matter.

Central African Republic
Sports Minister Doneng loses power struggle with football federation

Héritier Doneng, who is close to Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra, pulled a media stunt by trying to impose Rigobert Song as the national football team coach. But he was forced to back down after the country's soccer federation and FIFA opposed the move.

Cameroon, Central African Republic
Russian fuel donation to CAR remains stuck in Cameroon

Russia's donation of fuel to CAR remains in Cameroon, which fears some of it could be sold on the local market and possibly spark US sanctions. Neptune Oil has been tasked with getting it to Bangui.

Central African Republic
Armel Sayo avoids extradition to Bangui

The authorities have failed in their appeal to Cameroon to hand over the rebel leader. Having founded an armed group in northern CAR just a few months ago, he has been held in Yaoundé's central prison since January.

The New Guard
Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Central African Republic

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

Ivory CoastLionel Kili, key figure in France's Ivorian diaspora

TanzaniaSalma Iddy, environmentalist championing women entrepreneurs

CARMarius Aristide Hoja Nzessioué, Touadéra's man at the UN

Central African Republic
Difficult-to-sell huge diamond loses its sparkle for Touadéra

The Central African president is trying to sell a 178-carat diamond that was found in the southeast of the country but, three months after the lifting of the diamond embargo, it's proving quite the challenge.