Vol 48 No 15 | CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE Can't pay, won't pay 20th July 2007 Bad old debts reveal the gap between what Congo owes and what its leaders hide The pursuit of repayments from the poorest economies has made the debt-collection agencies known as 'vulture funds' a target for antipoverty campaigners. These firms buy up debts at...
Vol 48 No 15 | CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE Election failure 20th July 2007 The first round of Congo-Brazzaville's legislative elections, on 22 June, displayed haste, corruption and ineptitude. There was a stark lack of voting materials and at some polling stations...
Vol 48 No 12 | CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE A strange alliance 8th June 2007 The President has cut a deal with his long-time foe and may now control parliament Back-room dealing is habitual in Congo-Brazzaville, where President Denis Sassou-Nguesso and his Parti Congolais du Travail lead a coalition of 30 parties, the Forces Démocratiques Unies. The latest...
Vol 48 No 12 | CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE Life without Jacques 8th June 2007 President Denis Sassou-Nguesso's government is neither clean enough nor competent enough to qualify for aid. A Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) agreement with the International Monetary Fund...