In an already fragile Central African neighborhood, the Democratic Republic of the Congo—Africa’s second largest country by area, fourth largest by population, and potentially one of the richest countries on the continent with mineral reserves worth $24 trillion—stands at a vital juncture in its history.
Featured commentary & analysis
AfricaSource Jan 14, 2020
Congo, one year later
By Pierre Englebert
Overall, while there has clearly not been any regime transition in Congo, there are faint stirrings of change. It is long shot, but it seems that the Western strategy of embracing Tshisekedi in exchange for Kabila’s removal from office may yet – possibly, hopefully – bear some fruit.
Congolese president discusses strategic partnership with the United States
By Africa Center
On Thursday, April 4, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted H.E. Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham, who concurrently serves as US special envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, introduced the President and welcomed participants. […]
Expert panel responds to incidents of North Korean sanctions evasion in the DRC
By Africa Center
On Thursday, September 3, the Africa Center hosted a virtual panel to discuss the latest report published by The Sentry: Overt Affairs: How North Korean Businessmen Busted Sanctions in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Sentry’s Director of Illicit Finance Policy Ms. Hilary Mossberg provided opening remarks alongside Africa Center Director of Programs and Studies Ms. Bronwyn Bruton, […]
Across Africa, leaders are tinkering with term limits and prolonging their tenures. In an increasingly unstable Central African region, Joseph Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), appears poised to be the next African leader to sidestep the relinquishing of power and the election of his successor, constitutionally mandated for November 2016. […]
With a population of almost 80 million people and unparalleled natural resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the DRC or the Congo) is a country of tremendous potential—but only that. One of the most violent places on earth, its people suffer from the brutality of armed groups and political instability. Now, President Joseph Kabila’s […]
As of March 24, the Democratic Republic of Congo had only forty-eight confirmed cases of coronavirus, with three dead of the disease. But although Congo is only in the very first stages of the pandemic, the contrast between the degree of state capacity and social discipline that it takes to stifle the disease and Congo’s record on these two counts is particularly worrisome.
Dr. Pierre Englebert discusses the current political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo
By Africa Center
On Thursday, February 13, the Africa Center hosted a roundtable with Dr. Pierre Englebert, Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and H. Russell Smith Professor of International Relations at Pomona College.
Overall, while there has clearly not been any regime transition in Congo, there are faint stirrings of change. It is long shot, but it seems that the Western strategy of embracing Tshisekedi in exchange for Kabila’s removal from office may yet – possibly, hopefully – bear some fruit.
On May 22, the Africa Center partnered with The Sentry at the Enough Project to host a public discussion on illicit finance operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), occasioned by the release of the group’s new report, Covert Capital: The Kabila Family’s Secret Investment Bank, which tracks efforts by former President Joseph Kabila […]
On Wednesday, May 22, the Africa Center partnered with The Sentry at the Enough Project to host a discussion on illicit finance operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), occasioned by the release of the group’s new report: Covert Capital: The Kabila Family’s Secret Investment Bank. Ms. Bronwyn Bruton, Africa Center director of […]
On Wednesday, April 10, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a discussion on provincial decentralization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Africa Center Senior Fellow Dr. Pierre Englebert and Congo researcher Ms. Lisa Jené. Africa Center Director of Programs and Studies and Deputy Director Ms. Bronwyn Bruton welcomed guests and highlighted the […]
Congolese president discusses strategic partnership with the United States
By Atlantic Council
On April 4, the Africa Center hosted H.E. Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), during his first official visit to the United States. For an audience of senior US policy makers and non-profit representatives, President Tshisekedi discussed his country’s relationship with the United States. In particular, he hoped to […]
Congolese president discusses strategic partnership with the United States
By Africa Center
On Thursday, April 4, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted H.E. Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham, who concurrently serves as US special envoy for the Great Lakes Region of Africa, introduced the President and welcomed participants. […]
Nobel Peace Prize laureate on sexual violence in the DRC
By Africa Center
On January 28, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted Dr. Denis Mukwege, founder and medical director of Panzi Hospital and 2018 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, for a discussion on the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Introducing the distinguished guest, Atlantic Council […]
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