🇧🇫🇫🇷 Burkina Faso detains four French civil servants on suspicion of espionage
Four French IT workers with diplomatic passports and visas have been arrested in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou.
The four civil servants came to Burkina Faso to carry out IT maintenance for the French embassy, but were detained on December 1 and transferred to Ouagadougou prison on December 14.
French news magazine Jeune Afrique on Tuesday published an article saying that Burkina Faso had arrested four agents working for France's external intelligence agency DGSE.
"We are in the process of verifying the real field work of four French nationals presented as agents of the DGSE. They are currently before investigators,” said Burkinabè officials.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
Four French IT workers with diplomatic passports and visas have been arrested in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou.
The four civil servants came to Burkina Faso to carry out IT maintenance for the French embassy, but were detained on December 1 and transferred to Ouagadougou prison on December 14.
French news magazine Jeune Afrique on Tuesday published an article saying that Burkina Faso had arrested four agents working for France's external intelligence agency DGSE.
"We are in the process of verifying the real field work of four French nationals presented as agents of the DGSE. They are currently before investigators,” said Burkinabè officials.
#BurkinaFaso #France
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇲🇦 3 French tourists arrested in possession of counterfeit euros in Morocco
Three young French tourists were arrested Monday in Marrakech in possession of counterfeit euro notes, and a judicial investigation was opened against them, announced police sources cited by the Moroccan agency MAP.
The tourists aged 29 to 30, whose identity was not communicated, "had used several fake currency notes for payment of service invoices" in a hotel in Marrakech, the same source added.
The research allowed "their identification and arrest in possession of other counterfeit bank notes", indicated the sources, specifying that "during searches", the agents found "25 counterfeit banknotes in euros".
The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into "their alleged involvement in a case of possession and circulation of counterfeit notes". Investigators also want to"determine the possible ramifications" of the affair "with the networks of forgers".
#France #Morocco
@africaintel
Three young French tourists were arrested Monday in Marrakech in possession of counterfeit euro notes, and a judicial investigation was opened against them, announced police sources cited by the Moroccan agency MAP.
The tourists aged 29 to 30, whose identity was not communicated, "had used several fake currency notes for payment of service invoices" in a hotel in Marrakech, the same source added.
The research allowed "their identification and arrest in possession of other counterfeit bank notes", indicated the sources, specifying that "during searches", the agents found "25 counterfeit banknotes in euros".
The public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into "their alleged involvement in a case of possession and circulation of counterfeit notes". Investigators also want to"determine the possible ramifications" of the affair "with the networks of forgers".
#France #Morocco
@africaintel
🇺🇸🇫🇷🌍 Exclusive: How the USA are pushing France out of Africa
We've already touched the topic of the US's attempts to conquer French assets in Africa many times. But recently, our sources enlightened us more on the situation.
As we said several times before, the Americans' aim is to oust France from the African continent, since they believe that France is "no longer capable of stabilizing the region", and even worse, that France is a destabilizing factor, whose lack of strength not only fueled anti-West sentiment, but gave rise to the pro-Russian ones. Therefore, the US decided to take the matter in their hands in francophone Africa.
🔍 Let's examine several examples.
🇳🇪 Niger since the end of July was rapidly cutting ties with France. Yes, the economical influence still remains, but other spheres, like military, suffered greatly (the last French troops are to leave country this week). On the other hand, Washington is feeling alright, announces its return, its air base in Niger is fully working, and despite French pressure the Americans refuse to support the French diplomatic position.
🇲🇷 In Mauritania, the French PMC THEMIIS has won a small contract with the Mauritanian army, but the Americans are already trying to dissuade the Mauritanians from getting closer to France, in favor of doing business with American security companies.
🇬🇦 In Gabon thanks to the pro-USA coup Washington have regained some control and they plan to further take advantage of France's difficulty in maintaining security costs to "steal" even more market shares from France and kick France out of the country.
🇨🇩 The DRC is already a lost cause for Paris. Several French PMCs tried to establish themselves in the east of country, but now they are only doing some maintenance or site protection, while all the important mentoring contracts have been won by American companies. Now the USA are seeking to completely oust the French from the DRC army.
🇨🇫 In CAR the situation is quite a funny one. Recently news surfaced that American Bancroft PMC, which has ties with the CIA, is planning on working in CAR. And to do this and counter the French, who are trying to regain a foothold in the country, they used France itself. The Bancroft executives sent to the country are two former French Special Forces operators. As a result, it was the French who negotiated on behalf of the Americans, against the French.
The French working for Bancroft were misled by the group's American management, who told them that their presence in the country was, of course, not only to establish Bancroft, but also to "re-establish France". Except that the Americans have done exactly the opposite, and their enduring goal is to contain the French presence in the country. Bancroft's two Frenchmen have therefore left the country, and it is now the USA operators who negotiate for the Americans.
🇹🇩 The only French bastion in French-speaking Africa still holding out is Chad, whose fate is still unknown, since different French institute have different thoughts regarding the future of France in Chad. Some even make connection that the recent RSF victories in Sudan could have repercussions throughout the region and ultimately threaten Chad's stability.
🔻All in all, the United States for now are concentrated on decreasing French influence in Africa and are meticulously working on it. The results are quite sad for Paris and, most likely, the US will replace it in nearest future, maybe even in 2024. And it is only a matter of time when Washington will capture even longstanding economic field in francophone Africa — the only field in which France to this day has control.
Other actors in Africa, like Russia or China, should keep a close eye on the situation so as not to miss when the U.S. will try to "knock on the door" and conquer "their territory" in Africa.
#USA #France #Africa
@africaintel
We've already touched the topic of the US's attempts to conquer French assets in Africa many times. But recently, our sources enlightened us more on the situation.
As we said several times before, the Americans' aim is to oust France from the African continent, since they believe that France is "no longer capable of stabilizing the region", and even worse, that France is a destabilizing factor, whose lack of strength not only fueled anti-West sentiment, but gave rise to the pro-Russian ones. Therefore, the US decided to take the matter in their hands in francophone Africa.
🔍 Let's examine several examples.
🇳🇪 Niger since the end of July was rapidly cutting ties with France. Yes, the economical influence still remains, but other spheres, like military, suffered greatly (the last French troops are to leave country this week). On the other hand, Washington is feeling alright, announces its return, its air base in Niger is fully working, and despite French pressure the Americans refuse to support the French diplomatic position.
🇲🇷 In Mauritania, the French PMC THEMIIS has won a small contract with the Mauritanian army, but the Americans are already trying to dissuade the Mauritanians from getting closer to France, in favor of doing business with American security companies.
🇬🇦 In Gabon thanks to the pro-USA coup Washington have regained some control and they plan to further take advantage of France's difficulty in maintaining security costs to "steal" even more market shares from France and kick France out of the country.
🇨🇩 The DRC is already a lost cause for Paris. Several French PMCs tried to establish themselves in the east of country, but now they are only doing some maintenance or site protection, while all the important mentoring contracts have been won by American companies. Now the USA are seeking to completely oust the French from the DRC army.
🇨🇫 In CAR the situation is quite a funny one. Recently news surfaced that American Bancroft PMC, which has ties with the CIA, is planning on working in CAR. And to do this and counter the French, who are trying to regain a foothold in the country, they used France itself. The Bancroft executives sent to the country are two former French Special Forces operators. As a result, it was the French who negotiated on behalf of the Americans, against the French.
The French working for Bancroft were misled by the group's American management, who told them that their presence in the country was, of course, not only to establish Bancroft, but also to "re-establish France". Except that the Americans have done exactly the opposite, and their enduring goal is to contain the French presence in the country. Bancroft's two Frenchmen have therefore left the country, and it is now the USA operators who negotiate for the Americans.
🇹🇩 The only French bastion in French-speaking Africa still holding out is Chad, whose fate is still unknown, since different French institute have different thoughts regarding the future of France in Chad. Some even make connection that the recent RSF victories in Sudan could have repercussions throughout the region and ultimately threaten Chad's stability.
🔻All in all, the United States for now are concentrated on decreasing French influence in Africa and are meticulously working on it. The results are quite sad for Paris and, most likely, the US will replace it in nearest future, maybe even in 2024. And it is only a matter of time when Washington will capture even longstanding economic field in francophone Africa — the only field in which France to this day has control.
Other actors in Africa, like Russia or China, should keep a close eye on the situation so as not to miss when the U.S. will try to "knock on the door" and conquer "their territory" in Africa.
#USA #France #Africa
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇧🇫 France refuses to hand over ex-Burkina president's brother
France has cancelled a ministerial decree which had authorised the extradition of the brother of the former president of Burkina Faso, back to his homeland.
Paul François Compaoré, whose brother Blaise was head of state from 1987 until 2014, is accused of killing a journalist in 1998.
Worsening relations between the military junta in Burkina Faso and the former colonial power, France, have recently led to expulsion orders for diplomatic officials - including the French ambassador, and to the suspension of some French media.
#France #BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
France has cancelled a ministerial decree which had authorised the extradition of the brother of the former president of Burkina Faso, back to his homeland.
Paul François Compaoré, whose brother Blaise was head of state from 1987 until 2014, is accused of killing a journalist in 1998.
Worsening relations between the military junta in Burkina Faso and the former colonial power, France, have recently led to expulsion orders for diplomatic officials - including the French ambassador, and to the suspension of some French media.
#France #BurkinaFaso
@africaintel
⚡🇫🇷🇳🇪 Last French troops leave Niger, ending decade of Sahel missions
The last French troops deployed in Niger left on Friday, an AFP reported, marking an end to more than a decade of French anti-jihadist operations in west Africa's Sahel region.
"Today's date marks the end of the disengagement process of French forces in the Sahel," Niger army lieutenant Salim Ibrahim said at a ceremony in Niamey marking the end of France's military presence.
The French exit from Niger leaves hundreds of US military personnel, and a number of Italian and German troops, remaining in the country.
#France #Niger
@africaintel
The last French troops deployed in Niger left on Friday, an AFP reported, marking an end to more than a decade of French anti-jihadist operations in west Africa's Sahel region.
"Today's date marks the end of the disengagement process of French forces in the Sahel," Niger army lieutenant Salim Ibrahim said at a ceremony in Niamey marking the end of France's military presence.
The French exit from Niger leaves hundreds of US military personnel, and a number of Italian and German troops, remaining in the country.
#France #Niger
@africaintel
🇳🇪🇫🇷 Niger suspends cooperation with international Francophone body
Niger has suspended all cooperation with the international organisation of Francophone nations (OIF), its military leaders said, as it progressively severs ties with former colonial ruler France.
The 88-member body "has always been used by France as an instrument to defend French interests", said a spokesperson for Niger's ruling junta on national television late on Sunday.
The OIF had already suspended most cooperation with Niger last week because of the coup, but said it would maintain those programmes "directly benefiting civilian populations, and those contributing to the restoration of democracy".
"The government of Niger calls on the African people to decolonise their minds and promote their own national languages in accordance with the ideas of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism," said the junta's statement.
#Niger #France
@africaintel
Niger has suspended all cooperation with the international organisation of Francophone nations (OIF), its military leaders said, as it progressively severs ties with former colonial ruler France.
The 88-member body "has always been used by France as an instrument to defend French interests", said a spokesperson for Niger's ruling junta on national television late on Sunday.
The OIF had already suspended most cooperation with Niger last week because of the coup, but said it would maintain those programmes "directly benefiting civilian populations, and those contributing to the restoration of democracy".
"The government of Niger calls on the African people to decolonise their minds and promote their own national languages in accordance with the ideas of the founding fathers of Pan-Africanism," said the junta's statement.
#Niger #France
@africaintel
🇩🇿🇫🇷 Algerian president’s visit to France still not finalized
The state visit of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to France is "still the subject of preparations", affirmed the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, specifying that it depends on the settlement of five files.
“In all sincerity, the conditions of this visit are not suitable,” declared Attaf. He listed the issues of memory, mobility, economic cooperation, the French nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara, return of the restitution of the sword as well as the burnous of Emir Abdelkader.
“We have not reached agreements on five major and heavy issues. But we continue to work on them,” reiterated the minister.
At the beginning of August, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared that his state visit to France was "still maintained" but depended "on the program" of the Élysée, specifying that a "state visit has conditions" and "no "It's not a tourist visit. "
#Algeria #France
@africaintel
The state visit of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to France is "still the subject of preparations", affirmed the Algerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, specifying that it depends on the settlement of five files.
“In all sincerity, the conditions of this visit are not suitable,” declared Attaf. He listed the issues of memory, mobility, economic cooperation, the French nuclear tests in the Algerian Sahara, return of the restitution of the sword as well as the burnous of Emir Abdelkader.
“We have not reached agreements on five major and heavy issues. But we continue to work on them,” reiterated the minister.
At the beginning of August, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared that his state visit to France was "still maintained" but depended "on the program" of the Élysée, specifying that a "state visit has conditions" and "no "It's not a tourist visit. "
#Algeria #France
@africaintel
🇫🇷🇳🇪 French embassy in Niger closed until further notice
Paris on Tuesday said its embassy in Niger was now closed, confirming previously announced plans, after relations between the two countries deteriorated following a military coup in the African country.
"For five months, our embassy has been severely hampered, making it impossible to carry out its missions", a spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
#France #Niger
@africaintel
Paris on Tuesday said its embassy in Niger was now closed, confirming previously announced plans, after relations between the two countries deteriorated following a military coup in the African country.
"For five months, our embassy has been severely hampered, making it impossible to carry out its missions", a spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry said in a statement.
#France #Niger
@africaintel
🛢🇫🇷🇧🇯 TotalEnergies hires former Benin PM to assess East Africa land purchases
France's TotalEnergies has hired former prime minister of Benin Lionel Zinsou to assess land purchases in Uganda and Tanzania as part of the Tilenga oil and East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) projects.
TotalEnergies said that as the land acquisition process draws to a close, Zinsou will evaluate the procedures used, the conditions for consultation, the compensation and relocation of people affected, and grievance handling.
Zinsou's consulting firm will also assess actions taken by TotalEnergies EP Uganda and EACOP to improve living conditions for those affected. It will submit a report by April 2024.
TotalEnergies said the Tilenga and EACOP projects include a land acquisition programme covering 6,400 hectares (15,815 acres), carried out on behalf of the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments.
#France #Benin
@africaintel
France's TotalEnergies has hired former prime minister of Benin Lionel Zinsou to assess land purchases in Uganda and Tanzania as part of the Tilenga oil and East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) projects.
TotalEnergies said that as the land acquisition process draws to a close, Zinsou will evaluate the procedures used, the conditions for consultation, the compensation and relocation of people affected, and grievance handling.
Zinsou's consulting firm will also assess actions taken by TotalEnergies EP Uganda and EACOP to improve living conditions for those affected. It will submit a report by April 2024.
TotalEnergies said the Tilenga and EACOP projects include a land acquisition programme covering 6,400 hectares (15,815 acres), carried out on behalf of the Ugandan and Tanzanian governments.
#France #Benin
@africaintel
🇬🇳🇫🇷 Guinea arrests French journalist Thomas Dietrich
Guinean military authorities have arrested French journalist Thomas Dietrich.
The journalist was arrested on Sunday in the capital, Conakry, while investigating alleged corruption in the country's National Oil Company (Sonap).
BBC sources say the journalist was interested in how certain officials of Guinea's transitional government had acquired their wealth and had been in the country for several days to investigate Sonap.
It is not the first time Mr Dietrich is arrested in Guinea.
In March 2020, he was arrested and deported after he filmed a police crackdown on an opposition demonstration in the capital Conakry.
#Guinea #France
@africaintel
Guinean military authorities have arrested French journalist Thomas Dietrich.
The journalist was arrested on Sunday in the capital, Conakry, while investigating alleged corruption in the country's National Oil Company (Sonap).
BBC sources say the journalist was interested in how certain officials of Guinea's transitional government had acquired their wealth and had been in the country for several days to investigate Sonap.
It is not the first time Mr Dietrich is arrested in Guinea.
In March 2020, he was arrested and deported after he filmed a police crackdown on an opposition demonstration in the capital Conakry.
#Guinea #France
@africaintel