Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
republic of congolatest news & developments
President Yoweri Museveni has ruled for almost 40 years. Photo: Sumy Sadruni/AFP
STRONGMAN

Strongman syndrome in Africa flips democracies to totalitarianism

The strongman thrives on populism, low civic involvement, political elitism, fear, poverty, illiteracy and the abuse of the rule of law

  • Robert Kigongo
3 min read
A man wears a traditional Kankurang mask along the beach in the popular tourist area of Senegambia in Banjul on December 6, 2021. (Photo: John Wessels/AFP)
ABDALLA HAMDOK

The Continent: Africa A-Z of 2021

The highlights of 2021 in Africa

  • Samira Sawlani
  • The Continent
9 min read
BGFIBank allegedly played a central role in a years-long scam that allowed former DRC leader Joseph Kabila’s family and close associates to launder $243-million in public and suspect funds
ANETH LUTALE

The dirty secrets of the dictators’ favourite bank

BGFIBank allegedly played a central role in a years-long scam that allowed former DRC leader Joseph Kabila’s family and close associates to launder $243-million in public and…

  • Simon Allison
9 min read
Iron grip: President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been in power for 36 years
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Congo-Brazzaville’s repressive government buys secret weapons haul from Azerbaijan

For several years, the Republic of the Congo has been quietly buying an arsenal from Azerbaijan, with the latest cache arriving before next month’s election

  • Khadija Sharife
  • The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project
  • Mark Anderson
9 min read