Sumo takes London, 100 years of Thatcher and an FT scheduling blip; catch up on the latest gossip in The Capitalist

SUMMIT’S UP

Last week The Capitalist reported on the controversial opening speaker at the Financial Times’s upcoming Africa Summit: the Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema, who stands accused of kidnapping and torturing the family of his predecessor.

The FT press office brushed off our suggestion that hosting Nguema on 22 October might not align with the newspaper’s brand values, given its commitment to “protecting human rights”. But less than 48 hours after we ran the story, Nguema mysteriously disappeared from the schedule. His spot remained unfilled until Monday morning, when vice president Alexandre Barro Chambrier replaced him.

The FT had no comment on the late change but City AM understands the official line of the Gabonese government is an unfortunate scheduling conflict with another diplomatic trip. Sponsors including Bank of America and World Bank were conspicuously quiet when we approached them for comment but perhaps they were less taciturn behind the scenes…

The Capitalist also wonders what impact this might have on the investment drive the president had planned during his London trip. According to a document obtained by City AM, Nguema was slated to attend........

© City A.M.