Vol 63 No 11 | WEST AFRICACENTRAL AFRICA Leaders favour new CFA franc plan 26th May 2022 Political and financial imperatives are driving reform of the CFA zone but may be stymied by an international economic slowdown After being put on hold during the pandemic, plans to reform the CFA franc zone are back on the agenda in West Africa. These plans are unfolding as...
Vol 58 No 25 | INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDCENTRAL AFRICA Fear in the franc zone 15th December 2017 Many of the six members of the French-supported economic area are in dire straits. IMF concern is growing While the multimillionaire leaders of some of Africa's most wasteful regimes plead poverty following the drop in commodity prices, especially oil, the International Monetary Fund is scrambling to...
Vol 4 (AAC) No 2 | SINGAPORECENTRAL AFRICA Triangular trade 28th December 2010 With the other Asian powers vying for business elsewhere, Singapore has focused on two sluggish oil-producing countries in Central Africa: Congo-Brazzaville and Gabon. President Denis Sassou-Nguesso’s government is...
Vol 50 No 1 | CENTRAL AFRICA Old wounds, new crises 9th January 2009 Falling commodity prices and failing politicians will make a dangerous combination this year CONGO-KINSHASA: Talking to Nkunda – and Kigali No ceasefire was arranged at the latest negotiations in December between the Kinshasa government and General Laurent Nkunda’s rebel...
Vol 49 No 1 | CENTRAL AFRICA A slow road to travel 11th January 2008 African peacekeepers, Western financiers and local negotiators will struggle to dampen the regional fires Keeping a grip on the chaotic political system will test Congo-Kinshasa’s President Joseph Kabila’s skills to the limit in 2008. Key provinces in the east and west have...
Vol 48 No 1 | CENTRAL AFRICA On the brink 12th January 2007 Congo-Kinshasa tries to consolidate after elections as Chad and Central African Republic face down Sudan-sponsored rebels The big question for Congo-Kinshasa and the region this year is whether President Joseph Kabila can consolidate power after last year’s elections. Kabila started the year by...
Vol 48 No 1 | CENTRAL AFRICA Generals and lawyers 12th January 2007 In Burundi, Brigadier General Adolphe Nshimirimana, originally from the ruling Conseil National pour la Défense de la Démocratie-Forces de Défense de la Démocratie, is now the Director of...
Vol 47 No 1 | CENTRAL AFRICA Electoral expectations 6th January 2006 A successful conclusion to Congo-Kinshasa's transition will reshape the region Congo-Kinshasa starts the year with two unexpected boosts to its election programme: the 18-19 December constitutional referendum secured both a high voter turnout and a massive 'yes' vote...
Vol 46 No 1 | CENTRAL AFRICA Too many troops 7th January 2005 If peace is to come to the region, the weak government in Kinshasa must deal with the eastern Congo crisis, then organise elections due in June but likely...
Vol 45 No 1 | CENTRAL AFRICA Not warring but warning 9th January 2004 The route to peace in Central Africa is being paved by power-sharing governments and fundraising conferences. For Congo-Kinshasa, Western officials and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund...