Franck Ntumba

Palace Intrigues
Alassane Ouattara, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Félix Tshisekedi, Mahamat Idriss Déby

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

Ivory Coast Ouattara and Sassou neatly avoid the Soro issue

DRC Tshisekedi calls up Israeli counterpart for support

Cameroon Did the Chadian ambassador stay or go?

DRC
Kinshasa procures four new attack helicopters

The DRC government is continuing to beef up its military capabilities in order to deal with the M23, its latest acquisition being four MI-24s from the Chadian army.

DRC
Kinshasa eyes Chinese fighter jets after buying Beijing's drones

A high-level delegation from the China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corp (CATIC) travelled last week to Kinshasa, accompanied by officers from the People's Liberation Army (PLA), to try to sell its JF-17 Thunder fighter jets to DR Congo.

DRC
Tshisekedi's intriguing new aircraft brokers

A new company has been set up whose ostensible purpose is to acquire aircraft for the Congolese leader's second presidential bid in December 2023. Pulling the strings of this discreet enterprise is a 'friend' who previously navigated the murky business waters of Gaddafi's Libya.

DRC, Rwanda
Kagame dispatches his spy masters to Kinshasa

Breaking news published on 15/07/22, 18:45 - According to Africa Intelligence, a delegation of senior Rwandan intelligence officials travelled to Kinshasa on 12 July for a secret meeting with the Congolese services.

DRC
Tshisekedi's military adviser under pressure from top brass

One year after his appointment, the Congolese president's military adviser Franck Ntumba is widely contested by the general staff and may even step down to run for governor of one of the DRC's provinces.