Latest news with #AfricaIntelligence
Libya Review
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
France Appoints Thierry Vallat as New Ambassador to Libya
France has appointed senior diplomat Thierry Vallat as its new ambassador to Libya, according to a report by the 'Africa Intelligence' website. Vallat will replace Ambassador Mostafa Mihraje, who is stepping down after reaching retirement age. Mihraje has served as France's envoy in Tripoli during a sensitive period marked by Libya's ongoing political divisions, fragile ceasefires, and international efforts to stabilize the country. Thierry Vallat is no stranger to complex regional diplomacy. With more than two decades of experience, he has served in several key diplomatic roles across the Middle East and North Africa. From 2000 to 2004, Vallat held the position of Deputy Consul in Syria, gaining firsthand insight into one of the region's most challenging political environments. He later worked as Deputy EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process between 2009 and 2011—a period of intense regional diplomacy. From 2017 to 2020, Vallat served as France's Consul General in Tangier, Morocco, where he was involved in fostering bilateral cooperation in trade, culture, and regional security. His appointment to Libya comes at a time when France is seeking to strengthen its presence in North Africa and play a more active role in supporting UN-led efforts to help Libya navigate its political transition. The return of a career diplomat with experience in both European and regional affairs suggests that Paris is aiming for deeper engagement in Libya's reconstruction, institutional stabilization, and security coordination. Vallat's background in multilateral diplomacy and his knowledge of Arab affairs are expected to position him well in navigating Libya's fragmented political landscape and engaging with both national actors and international stakeholders. Tags: AmbassadorfranceFrench Envoylibya
Business Insider
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
French ex-soldiers eye Africa return as US billionaire seeks security team for DRC mines
French ex-soldiers may be returning to Africa as part of a private security team put together by US billionaire, Eric Prince to protect mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). French ex-soldiers are being considered for recruitment to secure mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This initiative is connected to the firm of Erik Prince, indicating a trend towards private security in resource-rich African regions. The DRC's mineral wealth and ongoing instability underlie the necessity for specialized security measures. The recruitment of French ex-soldiers is linked to a security contract with U.S. billionaire Erik Prince's firm, indicating a growing trend of private military contractors securing high-risk, resource-rich areas across Africa. According to a report by Africa Intelligence, a ' mysterious' recruiter has been reaching out to former French servicemen, particularly from the elite French Foreign Legion, to offer them a role in the DRC. The move follows recent peace talks between the DRC and Rwanda, which were part of broader efforts initiated by the United States to address the ongoing regional conflict. In exchange for stability in the region, the U.S. has gained access to the DRC's mineral wealth, which has long been plagued by issues such as smuggling and corruption. In April 2025, Reuters exclusively reported that Erik Prince had secured a deal to assist the DRC in securing and taxing its vast mineral reserves. With the DRC's immense mineral wealth and its ongoing instability, securing mining operations has become increasingly vital. This has led to the involvement of experienced personnel from around the globe, with French ex-soldiers becoming key players in this growing security landscape. Details of the security deal Erik Prince, founder of the infamous private military company Blackwater, has a contentious history in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where his firm has been involved in securing mining logistics since 2015. According to The Africa Report, Prince initiated talks with the DRC government in early January regarding mineral security, prior to the M23 rebels' major offensive that led to the capture of Goma and Bukavu. In April 2025, an agreement was reached to help secure and tax the country's vast mineral wealth, particularly in the copper-rich Katanga province. The deal aims to boost state revenue from mining, which is plagued by smuggling and corruption. The use of ex-French soldiers Erik Prince's preference for hiring ex-French soldiers likely stems from their deep experience in high-risk environments, especially in African conflict zones. With their extensive knowledge of Africa's political and security dynamics, these soldiers bring valuable skills to stabilize volatile regions. However, this reliance on French military personnel faces rejection in many African countries, particularly in French-speaking nations, where such interventions are often seen as neocolonial or undermining local sovereignty. This growing pushback is reflected in the increasing replacement of French forces by Russian military presence. The shift is particularly evident in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and others led by military juntas.
Zawya
07-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Elon Musk in project talks with Morocco: report
Starlink, a US satellite internet provider owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is in talks with Morocco to launch a project in the Moroccan Sahara, press reports said on Thursday. The project could bring significant dynamism to Morocco's southern provinces by providing high-speed satellite-backed internet, the Addis Ababa-based Africa Intelligence news website reported. 'The company is currently in talks with Morocco, relying on Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch and coordinating with the Royal Cabinet to implement this project,' the report said, quoting sources in Morocco. International reports indicate that Starlink, a subsidiary of Musk's SpaceX, has revolutionised global internet connectivity. The company offers high-speed, low-latency internet services worldwide, particularly in remote and rural areas lacking traditional telecommunications infrastructure. 'This project is particularly suitable for Morocco's southern provinces due to the vastness of the Moroccan Sahara, where extending wired internet networks presents significant challenges and requires substantial financial investments. Starlink's satellite-based solution makes it an attractive alternative to overcome these difficulties,' Africa Intelligence said. The report noted that Starlink has already launched several projects in countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Europe, parts of South America, and Australia. The company is currently expanding its services in Africa and the Middle East, with plans to enter more markets, including Morocco. (Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
Morocco World
05-03-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Starlink, Morocco in Talks to Expand Internet Services in Western Sahara
Rabat – Moroccan authorities and Starlink, a satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, are in discussions to bring high-speed internet to Western Sahara, Africa Intelligence reported today. 'The firm is relying on the support of Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who is supervising the project with the royal cabinet,' added the report . Starlink must get approval from Moroccan authorities before launching the service. The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) is set to review the technical aspects, while the General Directorate of Information System Security (DGSSI) will assess security risks. According to the report, negotiations between Morocco and Starlink began in the summer of 2024, when Musk first contacted Moroccan officials. Talks continued at the Qatar-Africa Business Forum in Marrakech in November 2024, where Lauren Dreyer, Starlink's vice president, led discussions. If approved, the project has the potential to greatly improve internet access in Morocco's southern provinces. Starlink, which provides coverage to over 100 countries across the world, aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband internet compared to traditional satellite services, especially in areas where traditional internet is not available, reliable, or affordable. Morocco has heavily invested in infrastructure and development projects in its southern provinces, and the project is expected to further enhance connectivity and overall development in the region. According to its website , Starlink works differently from most traditional satellite internet services. Instead of using a single satellite that orbits very far from Earth (about 35,786 km), Starlink uses thousands of smaller satellites that orbit much closer, about 550 km above the Earth. Because these satellites are closer, the internet signal doesn't have to travel as far, so the connection is faster with lower latency. This makes activities like streaming, online gaming, and video calls much smoother, the company says. Tags: elon muskinternetstarlinkWestern sahara
