Mahamadou Issoufou

Niger
Bazoum to set up new oil firm despite opposition

The new state company PetroNiger was due to be launched at a 7 July cabinet meeting, but its official birth was put off because of the interference of Sonidep boss Ibrahim Mamane.

Niger
China tightens grip on Niger's oil with Sinopec

China's state-run oil major Sinopec has set it sights on the western African country, where it is poised to become the second largest Chinese firm operating there behind China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), an old hand in Niger.

Palace Intrigues
Alassane Ouattara and Macky Sall, Anatole Collinet Makosso, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan

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

Senegal Ouattara and Sall's unlikely double get-together

Congo PM Makosso joins the Academy of Overseas Sciences

Sudan al-Burhan's discreet lobbying at Arab League summit

Niger
President Bazoum hunts for electronic eavesdropping technology

French and Israeli firms are among the contenders hoping to supply electronic listening and geolocation technology to Niger. A veteran military equipment broker known as Petit Boubé has agreed to pay for the equipment.

France, Niger
Bruno Fuchs and French MPs pay visit to Niamey

Bruno Fuchs, a member of the French Presidential party majority, has been in Niamey since 20 February and will remain there until the 23rd for a working visit,

The New Guard
Niger, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, South Africa

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

Niger Karim Soumana, Bazoum's soon-to-be ambassador in Qatar

Tunisia Faouzi Daas, Kais Saied's strategic adviser and upcoming MP

Ivory Coast Bakary Traoré, guardian of Ivory Coast's forests

South Africa Leon Schreiber, the opposition MP embarrassing the ANC

East Africa
AU firms up agenda for Addis summit

Topics to be raised at the AU heads of state summit to be held in Addis Ababa from 18-19 February will range from political, financial and energy governance, UN security council reforms, to the AU's response to climate change.

West Africa
West Africa ponders choice of next UNOWAS head

The Dakar-based post UN post has been vacant since October and the names of several African diplomats are doing the rounds.

Niger, Qatar
Mohamed Bazoum to make long-awaited visit to Doha next month

Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum, who has made closer relations with Qatar one of his major foreign policy objectives, is to travel to Doha on 2 February for a visiting lasting several days.

Sahel
Western capitals uneasy about delayed Issoufou report

Former Nigerien president Mahamadou Issoufou's report on the international response to the Sahel security crisis will not be ready in time for the AU summit in February as initially planned, with publication still several months away.