Intrigues big and small – every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.
The presidents of the sub-region have given oil and mining operators until April to find common ground with the bloc's central bank on the repatriation of their rehabilitation funds. Until then, negotiation talks will be held on a monthly basis.
Politicians close to the PASTEF party and local entrepreneurs have begun a campaign to alert public opinion to the damage they say is being caused by Eramet's Grande Côte mineral sand mining activities. The protests are growing despite Eramet's denials.
After failing to broker a ceasefire between the two warring parties, Washington is now trying to reconvene the members of the Security Council to discuss the situation in Sudan. The US Secretary of State may attend the meeting in person.
Mohamed Alabbar, the head of Dubai's leading property developer Emaar Properties, has his eyes on the pristine Mitsio archipelago, north of the island of Nosy Be, where he wants to build a luxury holiday resort.
Morocco's difficulties over its fisheries and agriculture agreements have prompted it to strengthen its negotiating team in its dealings with the European Union. It has turned to Scandinavian consultancy Rud Pedersen and the Belgian lawyer Sébastien Gubel, both of whom have excellent connections in Brussels, to better defend its commercial interests.
Two men are competing to take charge of the FTF next month. Whoever prevails will have to tackle the serious financial problems facing the federation, which is currently under FIFA supervision. He will also have to find a new manager despite budgetary constraints.