Boulos heads to Bangui | TotalEnergies kept hanging by Maputo | Uganda hires US mover and shaker

More news: Nigeria, DRC, Morocco

Tuesday 3 February Read this issue     Spotlight | Central African Republic Trump's top African envoy heads to Bangui in show of interest   Keen to maintain a fragile balance between Moscow, Abu Dhabi and Washington, President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has invited Massad Boulos to visit Bangui. Discussions will focus on military and diplomatic partnerships as well as investment opportunities, particularly in the mining sector.   Subscribers only | Diplomacy     The Continent     Africa Behind the scenes of another stormy Castel Group general meeting in Singapore     Accompanied by their lawyers, members of Pierre Castel's family and the camp of the CEO of the Africa-focused drinks giant Gregory Clerc, once again clashed in the Asian city-state. While shareholders aligned with Romy Castel voted to dismiss Clerc, the response from those targeted was swift.   Subscribers only | Business     Central Africa     DRC Virtus Minerals inches closer to acquisition of mining gem Chemaf The sale of Chemaf, which has become a real-life test of the strategic partnership between the DRC and the United States, has suddenly been taken up a gear with the signing of a share purchase agreement between the American mining operator and the trustee representing its shareholders.   Subscribers only | Mining     In brief DRC Parliamentary commission set to deliver report on Kalondo tragedy   Subscribers only | Mining, Politics     West Africa     Nigeria Bola Tinubu sidelines finance minister   Despite being a staunch supporter, Wale Edun has seen his relationship with the president sour to the point where he has been stripped of some of his powers. This situation has benefited the minister of state, Doris Uzoka-Anite.   Subscribers only | Finance, Politics     In brief Guinea Two American pilots and a private jet stranded in Conakry   Subscribers only | Diplomacy     Eastern Africa and the Horn     Uganda On bad terms with Washington, Museveni enlists the help of a US lobbyist   A well-established lobbying firm with influence in African capitals has been hired to promote Uganda's interests in the United States. This comes at a time when senior officials in the Trump administration are calling for a review of its partnership with Kampala.   Subscribers only | Politics, Diplomacy       Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan Hemeti and Tutkew Gatluak Manime's low-key Nairobi meeting   Oil issues were in all likelihood at the heart of the discussions between the RSF leader and Juba's head of security. The fate of the Sudanese site of Heglig, recently occupied by the South Sudanese People's Defence Forces, was probably central to their talks.   Subscribers only | Energy, Politics, Diplomacy     Southern Africa and islands     Mozambique Despite restart, TotalEnergies kept hanging on Mozambique LNG audit findings The French major responsible for the gas megaproject is still unable to get Maputo to accept the billions of dollars in additional costs resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic and insecurity in the area.   Subscribers only | Energy Follow our running story : "Cabo Delgado"     North Africa     Morocco Pursued on tax in France, judoka Teddy Riner's luxury cars find way to kingdom     Disappointed by his property investments in Morocco, the French Olympic champion has turned to high-end transport – a business for which he has recently been taken to task by the French authorities.   Subscribers only | Business       Guinea, Tunisia Former Tunisian minister Khelil Lajimi's new life in Conakry   British group Hillside Triumph has recruited Mohammed Ghannouchi's former tourism minister to take the reins of the LafargeHolcim Guinea cement plant.   Subscribers only | Business

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