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

AfricaSource

Jul 16, 2018

Below the surface, a game changer in Congolese politics

By Pierre Englebert

“Shikata,” or “remain seated” in Swahili, claim the posters on Congolese President Joseph Kabila’s effigy in the streets of Lubumbashi. But while everyone’s attention is focused on the regime’s contortions to stay in power, despite constitutional impediments to doing so and deep domestic discontent, the 2015 break-up of Congo’s existing provinces has upended politics below […]

Africa Corruption

AfricaSource

May 30, 2018

Congolese opposition unify ahead of presidential elections

By Pierre Englebert

Democratic Republic of the Congo opposition leaders Moïse Katumbi and Felix Tshisekedi are on a US and European tour to lobby for further sanctions against the regime of President Joseph Kabila and for continued Western pressure towards free and fair elections, scheduled for December. They have formed an alliance which, they hope, can unite the […]

Africa Corruption

Event Recap

May 23, 2018

Discussion with the Congolese opposition

By Africa Center

On Wednesday, May 23, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a discussion with Mr. Moïse Katumbi Chapwe, former governor of Katanga Province and leader of Ensemble pour le changement, a new political movement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Mr. Félix Tshisekedi, president of the Union pour la démocratie et le progrès social (UDPS), […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

Event Recap

Apr 13, 2018

Gécamines chairman discusses the DRC’s new mining code

By Africa Center

On Friday, April 13, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a roundtable with Mr. Albert Yuma Mulimbi, chairman of Gécamines and president of the Congolese Business Federation (Fédération des Entreprises du Congo). In his prepared remarks (official document attached), Mr. Yuma emphasized the importance of the mining industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo
FEAT1

Event Recap

Oct 19, 2017

Disrupting illicit financial flows in Congo

By Africa Center

On Thursday, October 19, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center, in collaboration with The Sentry at the Enough Project, hosted a discussion on illicit financial flows in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), occasioned by the release of the group’s new report: The Terrorist’s Treasury. Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. […]

Africa Corruption

Event Recap

Oct 5, 2017

Briefing on the Electoral Commission’s plans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

By Africa Center

On Thursday, October 5, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted an exclusive briefing with Mr. Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, President of the Independent Electoral Commission (CENI) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Atlantic Council Vice President and Africa Center Director Dr. J. Peter Pham welcomed guests and introduced Mr. Nangaa. In his remarks, Mr. […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

Event Recap

Feb 16, 2017

Roundtable Discussion with Moïse Katumbi

By Africa Center

On Thursday, February 16, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted Moïse Katumbi, joint opposition candidate for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and former governor of Katanga Province, for a roundtable discussion on the evolving political situation in the country. Vice President and Africa Center Director J. Peter Pham welcomed participants […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

Event Recap

Jan 18, 2017

DRC’s CENCO agreement: a foundation for real political transition?

By Africa Center

On Wednesday, January 18, in partnership with the Enough Project, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a discussion on the political situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the impact of the recent political deal brokered by the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (CENCO). Discussants included Atlantic Council Vice President and […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

AfricaSource

Jan 9, 2017

Africa’s economic prospects in 2017: Ten countries to watch

By J. Peter Pham

The continued failure of commodity prices to recover significantly and the global slowdown of economic growth, especially in China and other emerging markets, made 2016 a tumultuous year for many African economies, indeed, “the worst year for average economic growth” in the region in over twenty years, according to a report from Ernst & Young. […]

Africa Angola

New Atlanticist

Jan 4, 2017

In the DRC, Joseph Kabila Kicks the Can Down the Road

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Joseph Kabila, the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is unlikely to abide by the terms of an agreement that aims to end his fifteen-year rule and ensure the DRC’s first-ever democratic transition of power, said J. Peter Pham, director of the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center. “Miracles can happen and I guess, […]

Democratic Republic of the Congo
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