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Olivier Liffran

Africa Intelligence journalist Olivier Liffran reports on countries in Central and Southern Africa. He is also an infrastructure specialist and head of the "In focus" section.

Inner circles | DRC
Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

The Congolese president's official and shadow advisers are preparing for the presidential election scheduled for December, despite the possibility that it will be postponed. They hope to ward off a potential political crisis and secure another term for the incumbent.

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 07.04.2023

President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

Felix Tshisekedi's private office is radically overhauling the Congolese mining sector while putting the finishing touches to an unprecedented partnership with the United Arab Emirates, which has expressed an interest in a dozen mining permits.

Subscribers only Mining 06.04.2023

United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed and his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi.

In Focus | DRC, Rwanda
As fight against M23 continues, Kigali and Kinshasa wage war of intelligence

Faced with Kinshasa's accusations of support for the M23 by Kigali, Rwandan intelligence has been documenting collusion between the Congolese army and the FDLR rebel militias for several months. In this battle of narratives, each side is sharing their classified information with Western capitals.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 13.03.2023

Intelligence reports are also used as weapons of war in the M23 crisis between Rwanda and the DRC.

Spotlight | DRC
M23 manoeuvres to destabilise Kinshasa

While clashes continue around the city of Goma, the M23 is implementing its strategy of expansion from a position of strength. The rebel movement is in control of parts of North Kivu province and and aims to consolidate its proto-state.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 01.03.2023

M23 fighters at Rumangabo camp in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on 6 January 2023.

Spotlight | DRC
Kinshasa calls on armed Chinese drones and Foreign Legion vet to take on M23 rebels

The Congolese army is struggling to contain the M23 rebel group. In seeking to reverse the balance of power, Kinshasa has bought military drones from China and hired private Romanian soldiers operating under the command of a French Foreign Legion veteran.

Subscribers only Defence 21.02.2023

CASC Rainbow CH-4, an unmanned aerial vehicle in Zhuhai, China, 8 November 2022.

Spotlight | Africa, Israel
Netanyahu revs up for his return to Africa

Whether in Guinea-Bissau, the DRC or Sudan or at ECOWAS or the African Union, the Israeli prime minister is always looking for chances to highlight the difference between his pro-active diplomacy in Africa and the wait-and-see approach of his predecessor.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 09.02.2023

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Spotlight | DRC
Tshisekedi weighs his military options against M23

In the conflict with the M23 rebels, the DRC president has to take into account his army's serious weaknesses and as well as the hostility of some in his entourage to Paul Kagame's regime. Although he has left the door open to mediation, he is still quietly planning large-scale military operations.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics, Diplomacy 27.01.2023

DRC army tanks on the border with Rwanda.

Spotlight | DRC
Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

The arrest of Fortunat Biselele, aka Bifort, and the reshuffle of the president's private office, where he was a pivotal figure, heralds a change of direction for Félix Tshisekedi. Africa Intelligence reveals the story behind the scenes of this political incident and the investigation conducted by the intelligence services.

Subscribers only Politics 20.01.2023

In Focus | DRC
From Texas to South Kivu's highlands, Mahoro Peace Association's complex channels finance militia

Washington and Kinshasa believe a vast network operating under the cover of an American association is financing the Banyamulenge community militias. According to FBI and Congolese intelligence evidence, hundreds of thousands of dollars may have been used to finance the war effort in South Kivu.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 16.01.2023

Washington and Kinshasa suspect a vast network, operating under the cover of an American humanitarian association, of financing the Banyamulenge community militias.

Spotlight | DRC
Foreign private military contractors flood into North Kivu

Africa Intelligence lifts the veil on the private security companies currently operating in the eastern DRC city of Goma. There are dozens of former Soviet soldiers present, as well as a French businessman and a Romanian veteran of the French Foreign Legion.

Subscribers only Defence 06.01.2023

Soldiers of the Congolese Republican Guard walk on the tarmac of the airport in Goma, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on 12th November 2022.

Spotlight | DRC
Following Washington's threats, Tshisekedi presidency tries to discreetly renegotiate its Gertler deal

Félix Tshisekedi's presidency is using the utmost discretion to try to renegotiate the financial compensation it granted Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler 10 months ago. The US, which is threatening to impose sanctions on members of the Congolese government, has been a key player in this U-turn.

Subscribers only Finance, Politics, Business 21.12.2022

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Spotlight | DRC
Kagame and Tshisekedi play diplomatic cat and mouse

The Rwandan president Paul Kagame has opened up to a number of his counterparts about his country's ties with the M23. But Western capitals, not least France, remain circumspect, and Kigali currently has the upper hand diplomatically over an increasingly isolated Tshisekedi.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 02.12.2022

On the left the president of the DRC Félix Tshisekedi, on the right the president of Rwanda Paul Kagame

In Focus | Central Africa, West Africa
From Bolloré to Arise, Axelcium is the low-profile privateer central to African mega-deals

With offices in both Paris and the Emirates, Axelcium has become a key intermediary in public-private partnerships in Africa, touting its services on major infrastructure deals. Africa Intelligence details this discreet but influential firm's history.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, West Africa, Business 14.11.2022

Axelcium, a discreet key intermediary for public-private partnerships in Africa.

In Focus | DRC
The covert operation that targeted Dan Gertler's enemies around Tshisekedi

Africa Intelligence can reveal that the person who set the trap that precipitated the fall of DR Congo presidential adviser Vidiye Tshimanga had previously tried to approach the country's oil minister, Didier Budimbu. Three Israeli businessmen were also targeted.

Subscribers only Business 17.10.2022

From left: Israeli businessman Dan Gertler, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and his former adviser Vidiye Tshimanga.

Spotlight | DRC, United States
The spectre of sanctions is closing in on the Tshisekedi presidency

The US treasury has completed its investigation into André Wameso, one of the closest advisers of the DRC president. Though nothing has yet been decided in Washington, if he is placed under sanctions, this is likely to undermine the Congolese administration in the run-up to the next elections in late 2023.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.10.2022

Spotlight | DRC
Cloak and daggers in the highest echelons of the Congolese state

President Tshisekedi's strategic adviser Vidiye Tshimanga has been secretly caught on film meeting two fake investors on several occasions. Parts of these recordings have been made public and they cast an unflattering light on the practices, and also the tensions, within the president's office.

Subscribers only Politics 16.09.2022

Spotlight | DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa
Pretoria's thwarted plans for the DRC

After the SADC summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa remains wary of his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi, who has distanced himself from Pretoria in favour of new countries like Kenya.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 14.09.2022

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) shaking hands with the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo Felix Tshisekedi (R) during the Southern African Development Community (SADC) 42nd Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government held in Kinshasa, DRC, 17 August 2022.

Spotlight | Benin, Rwanda, Sahel
Rwanda readies to deploy troops to northern Benin

In the utmost secrecy, Kigali and Cotonou have entered the final phase of negotiations for the deployment of several hundred Rwandan soldiers to northern Benin, a part of the Sahel region that has been seeing a spike in jihadist activity.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 09.09.2022

Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldiers on mission in Mozambique, July 2021.

In Focus | DRC, United States
US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

Ever since Félix Tshisekedi took power, Washington had hoped he would curb China's huge influence in the country. Four years later, the United States is bitterly disappointed that it has failed to break Beijing's hegemony in strategic mining issues.

Subscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 05.09.2022

US president Joe Biden and his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi in October 2021.

Spotlight | DRC
UN analysts predict gloomy scenarios for 2023's elections

In two confidential reports, the UN Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (ENAM) and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) have drawn up an overview of the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo and attempted to forecast possible outcomes at the time of the late 2023 elections.

Subscribers only Politics 24.08.2022

A polling station in Kinshasa for the presidential election held in December 2018.

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Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Olivier Liffran

Inner circles | DRC
Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

In Focus | DRC, Rwanda
As fight against M23 continues, Kigali and Kinshasa wage war of intelligence

Spotlight | DRC
M23 manoeuvres to destabilise Kinshasa

Spotlight | DRC
Kinshasa calls on armed Chinese drones and Foreign Legion vet to take on M23 rebels

Spotlight | Africa, Israel
Netanyahu revs up for his return to Africa

Spotlight | DRC
Tshisekedi weighs his military options against M23

Spotlight | DRC
Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

In Focus | DRC
From Texas to South Kivu's highlands, Mahoro Peace Association's complex channels finance militia

Spotlight | DRC
Foreign private military contractors flood into North Kivu

Spotlight | DRC
Following Washington's threats, Tshisekedi presidency tries to discreetly renegotiate its Gertler deal

Spotlight | DRC
Kagame and Tshisekedi play diplomatic cat and mouse

In Focus | Central Africa, West Africa
From Bolloré to Arise, Axelcium is the low-profile privateer central to African mega-deals

In Focus | DRC
The covert operation that targeted Dan Gertler's enemies around Tshisekedi

Spotlight | DRC, United States
The spectre of sanctions is closing in on the Tshisekedi presidency

Spotlight | DRC
Cloak and daggers in the highest echelons of the Congolese state

Spotlight | DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa
Pretoria's thwarted plans for the DRC

Spotlight | Benin, Rwanda, Sahel
Rwanda readies to deploy troops to northern Benin

In Focus | DRC, United States
US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

Spotlight | DRC
UN analysts predict gloomy scenarios for 2023's elections

Refine your search

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Cameroon, Central African Republic Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Transition: what's next after the coup?

Cabo Delgado: a gas Eldorado and security nightmare

West African cocoa cartel battles with the traders

Olivier Liffran

Inner circles | DRC Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

Spotlight | DRC Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

In Focus | DRC, Rwanda As fight against M23 continues, Kigali and Kinshasa wage war of intelligence

Spotlight | DRC M23 manoeuvres to destabilise Kinshasa

Spotlight | DRC Kinshasa calls on armed Chinese drones and Foreign Legion vet to take on M23 rebels

Spotlight | Africa, Israel Netanyahu revs up for his return to Africa

Spotlight | DRC Tshisekedi weighs his military options against M23

Spotlight | DRC Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

In Focus | DRC From Texas to South Kivu's highlands, Mahoro Peace Association's complex channels finance militia

Spotlight | DRC Foreign private military contractors flood into North Kivu

Spotlight | DRC Following Washington's threats, Tshisekedi presidency tries to discreetly renegotiate its Gertler deal

Spotlight | DRC Kagame and Tshisekedi play diplomatic cat and mouse

In Focus | Central Africa, West Africa From Bolloré to Arise, Axelcium is the low-profile privateer central to African mega-deals

In Focus | DRC The covert operation that targeted Dan Gertler's enemies around Tshisekedi

Spotlight | DRC, United States The spectre of sanctions is closing in on the Tshisekedi presidency

Spotlight | DRC Cloak and daggers in the highest echelons of the Congolese state

Spotlight | DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa Pretoria's thwarted plans for the DRC

Spotlight | Benin, Rwanda, Sahel Rwanda readies to deploy troops to northern Benin

In Focus | DRC, United States US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

Spotlight | DRC UN analysts predict gloomy scenarios for 2023's elections

Refine your search

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Cameroon, Central African Republic
Between business and politics, the secrets of Antoine Ndzengue's rise

Senegal
Paris and Dakar mull defence relations

Inner circles | DRC
Strategists gear up to get Tshisekedi re-elected

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi's grand gold and coltan designs in the DRC

In Focus | DRC, Rwanda
As fight against M23 continues, Kigali and Kinshasa wage war of intelligence

Spotlight | DRC
M23 manoeuvres to destabilise Kinshasa

Spotlight | DRC
Kinshasa calls on armed Chinese drones and Foreign Legion vet to take on M23 rebels

Spotlight | Africa, Israel
Netanyahu revs up for his return to Africa

Spotlight | DRC
Tshisekedi weighs his military options against M23

Spotlight | DRC
Top adviser Bifort ousted as Tshisekedi purges his inner circle

In Focus | DRC
From Texas to South Kivu's highlands, Mahoro Peace Association's complex channels finance militia

Spotlight | DRC
Foreign private military contractors flood into North Kivu

Spotlight | DRC
Following Washington's threats, Tshisekedi presidency tries to discreetly renegotiate its Gertler deal

Spotlight | DRC
Kagame and Tshisekedi play diplomatic cat and mouse

In Focus | Central Africa, West Africa
From Bolloré to Arise, Axelcium is the low-profile privateer central to African mega-deals

In Focus | DRC
The covert operation that targeted Dan Gertler's enemies around Tshisekedi

Spotlight | DRC, United States
The spectre of sanctions is closing in on the Tshisekedi presidency

Spotlight | DRC
Cloak and daggers in the highest echelons of the Congolese state

Spotlight | DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa
Pretoria's thwarted plans for the DRC

Spotlight | Benin, Rwanda, Sahel
Rwanda readies to deploy troops to northern Benin

In Focus | DRC, United States
US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

Spotlight | DRC
UN analysts predict gloomy scenarios for 2023's elections