Africa Matters

France Faces Scrutiny Over Alleged Nuclear Testing Plans in CAR

Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian Summary : France’s Alleged Nuclear Testing Plans in Central Africa Republic Spark Global Outrage A leaked document, purportedly from the French Ministry of Armed Forces, has triggered widespread condemnation over claims that France may use the Central African Republic (CAR) as a site for nuclear weapons testing. The document, dated November 19, 2024, allegedly…

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France starts pulling soldiers out of Niger

Emmanuel Macron’s military drawdown in Africa’s Sahel region continues. France started to pull troops from Niger on Thursday, the French armed forces ministry said in a statement. “The disengagement of military personnel and assets stationed in Niger begins this week. This maneuver should enable all military personnel to return to France before the end of the year,” the statement…

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Inside the hidden war between Russia and France as they jostle for control in Africa

Wagner Group mercenaries have launched an “informational war” in Africa, fighting against democracy by stoking anti-Western sentiment sweeping across some of the poorest nations in the world, experts have warned. The result could be catastrophic, both domestically and abroad, with a seismic uptick in violence causing the death of thousands and a potential mass migration to Europe, including, eventually,…

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Sour relationship between Africa and its colonial masters 

In the late hours of Wednesday, July 26; presidential guards led by a General in Niger Republic announced a successful coup on national television, taking over the government from Nigerienne President, Mohamed Bazoum. They effectively suspended all the institutions set up by the constitution and closed the nation’s borders just after putting president Bazoum under house arrest. The news of a…

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Niger crisis deepens as France plans to evacuate following coup

France announced a planned evacuation from Niger on Tuesday after a military coup there won backing from two other West African nations ruled by mutinous soldiers. The French Foreign Ministry in Paris cited recent violence that targeted the French Embassy in Niamey, the capital, as one of the reasons for the decision. The closure of Niger’s airspace also “leaves…

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France denies plotting to intervene militarily in Niger

France’s foreign minister on Monday denied accusations from Niger’s new junta that Paris is plotting to intervene militarily in Niger. The new junta in Niamey had earlier in the day charged that France was preparing to make a move. “In its search for ways and means to intervene militarily in Niger, France with the complicity of some Nigeriens held a…

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Air France launches direct flights to Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam. Air France has launched direct flights from Paris to Dar es Salaam, making it the 31st route in sub-Saharan Africa after a 28-year absence. What you need to know Dar es Salaam becomes the second destination in Tanzania, joining Zanzibar where the airline has been operating since October 2021 with two weekly flights into the Abeid…

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French luxury group LVMH becomes world’s 10th biggest company (and EU’s largest)

Paul Theron, MD at Vestact Asset Management, and South African fashion designer David Tlale speak to The Money Show’s Bruce Whitfield about French multinational LVMH. A 5% rise in LVMH’s share price in mid-April saw the company’s market capitalisation reach $486 billion, briefly ranking it as the world’s 10th-biggest company. The luxury-brand powerhouse also becomes the first European company…

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Macron’s mission to counter Russia in Africa

Summary Libreville, Luanda, Brazzaville, Kinshasa – France’s President Emmanuel Macron is on a whirlwind tour of African capitals as he tries to shift French policy on the continent away from military involvement. He can hardly be accused of ignoring Africa – this is his 18th presidential trip – but this comes at a time of ever-increasing competition from China…

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World Cup: Did uncharacteristic choices and errors cost Morocco against France?

Jawad El Yamiq’s error led to Les Blues’ early opener but did Walid Regragui get the starting approach wrong in Wednesday’s semi-final? Morocco were solid defensively in their run to the World Cup semi-finals…until they were not. The Atlas Lions gave away a goal five minutes into their clash with France to throw a spanner in the works. Walid…

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