Congo: The Business of War

The assassination of President Laurent Kabila, an event still shrouded in mystery, may offer some hope that Africa’s greatest and certainly most complex war might yet be brought to a conclusion. His passing has removed an obdurate impediment to the implementation of the Lusaka Peace Process. But the prospects for peace will depend on the attitude of the new regime in Kinshasa and its allies. In the meantime it’s business as usual.

The World Today
4 minute READ

The succession of Joseph Kabila is likely to be temporary and an attempt by the hard line clique which surrounded the former President to continue business as normal. The new President is half Tutsi; he was brought up in Tanzania and speaks English in preference to French. Consequently he has little support in the army or in the country.

However, there are few other alternatives and despite the unemployment, poverty and misery of the majority in Kinshasa, the continuation of the Kabila regime will probably be endured by the capital’s quiescent and fun loving Congolese.

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