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.

Experts

All content

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

In the News

Dec 30, 2016

Pham Quoted by US News on the Potential for Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

By J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

In the News

Dec 23, 2016

Pham Quoted by Foreign Policy on the Political Negotiations in the Democratic Republic of Congo

By J. Peter Pham

Read the full article here.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

AfricaSource

Dec 20, 2016

Joseph Kabila Has Passed His Expiration Date

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States must work to avoid another ‘world war’ in Africa, says Atlantic Council’s J. Peter Pham The United States must ratchet up pressure on Congolese President Joseph Kabila in an attempt to convince him to leave office; a failure to do so would risk dragging the country and its neighbors into a costly […]

Africa Democratic Republic of the Congo

New Atlanticist

Dec 20, 2016

Joseph Kabila Has Passed His Expiration Date

By Ashish Kumar Sen

The United States must work to avoid another ‘world war’ in Africa, says the Atlantic Council’s J. Peter Pham The United States must ratchet up pressure on Congolese President Joseph Kabila in an attempt to convince him to leave office; a failure to do so would risk dragging the country and its neighbors into a […]

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Event Recap

Nov 29, 2016

Roundtable discussion with Moϊse Katumbi

By Africa Center

On Tuesday, November 29, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted Moϊse 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

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