About the project

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.

Congo on the Edge

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.

Africa Corruption
Congo on the Edge

Event Recap Apr 4, 2019

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. […]
Africa Corruption
Congo on the Edge

Event Recap Sep 3, 2020

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, […]
Africa Corruption

Issue Brief May 11, 2016

Congo blues: Scoring Kabila’s rule

By Pierre Englebert

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. […]
Africa Civil Society

Issue Brief Mar 14, 2016

Why the Congo matters

By Gérard Prunier

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 […]
Africa Corruption

Experts

Fellow

Rama Yade

Senior Director, Africa Center

Africa Center Europe Center

Civil Society Human Rights

Fellow

J. Peter Pham

Distinguished Fellow

Africa Center

Politics & Diplomacy National Security

Fellow

Private: Pierre Englebert

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Democratic Transitions Elections

All content

In the News

Jul 12, 2019

Englebert in the Journal of Democracy: Aspirations and realities in Africa: The DRC’s electoral sideshow

By Atlantic Council

Democratic Republic of the Congo
drc

Insights & Impact

Jun 1, 2019

Covert capital: Illicit finance in the DR Congo

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 […]

Africa Corruption

Event Recap

May 22, 2019

Covert capital: Illicit finance in the DR Congo

By Africa Center

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 […]

Africa Corruption

Event Recap

Apr 10, 2019

Tangled! The new politics of the Congo

By Africa Center

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 […]

Africa Corruption
AC

Program Impact Story

Apr 4, 2019

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 […]

Democratic Republic of the Congo Security Partnerships

Event Recap

Apr 4, 2019

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. […]

Africa Corruption

Event Recap

Jan 28, 2019

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 […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

AfricaSource

Dec 19, 2018

Congo’s election sham

By Pierre Englebert and Georges Kasongo Kalumba

The Congo government’s spurious disqualification of popular opposition candidates and the regime’s increasingly desperate attempts to prevent those remaining from campaigning demonstrate that Kabila not only intends to turn Congo’s elections into a sham.

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2018

‘Conflict gold’ fueling war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

By David A. Wemer

Militias and warlords are selling gold to fund their military activities and political control in eastern Congo and their illicit trade is not just flowing to the black market, but “may be coming here to the United States as well as Europe,” Sasha Lezhnev, deputy director of policy for the Enough Project, explained.

Conflict Democratic Republic of the Congo

Event Recap

Oct 24, 2018

Congo’s conflict gold trade: recent findings and recommendations for the future

By Africa Center

On October 24, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center partnered with The Sentry at the Enough Project to host a discussion on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)’s conflict gold trade, occasioned by the release of the group’s new report: The Golden Laundromat. Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo
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