Settling Sassou

The President wants a peace process - on his own terms

President Denis Sassou-Nguesso knows a lot about the national conferences and conventions that are supposed to precede democracy. The last one in his country, in 1992, threw him into the wilderness, from which he returned five years later at huge expense in blood and money. However, he cannot get aid or international acceptance without winning some sort of legitimacy (AC Vol 42 No 16). So he has moved cautiously towards the 'National Convention' whose first meeting is due to end in mid-April.

Article Tags:
Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Omar Bongo, Gabon, Justin Koumba, Pascal Lissouba, Approaching democracy, cautiously, Bernard Kolélas, Mali, Moderates in exile, David Charles Ganao, Jean Itadi, Paul Kaya, Jacques-Joachim Yhombi-Opango, Benin, Philippe Bikintinka, Marcel Yves Ibala, Jean-Michel Bokamba Yangouma, Jean Ping, André Milongo, Ange Poungui, Stéphane Bongou Nouarra., Norbert Nguina Moungounga-Nkombo, Claudine Mambonzo Munari, France, Modeste Boukadia, Conseil National de Transition, Mouvement Congolais pour la Démocratie et le Développement Intégral, Union des Forces Démocratiques, Parti Congolais du Travail, Front Patriotique pour le Dialogue et la Réconciliation Nationale

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