Minority Chief Whip, Mubarak Mohammed Muntaka is incensed by the prevailing posture of the Speaker of Parliament, likening his behaviour in the house, more or less, to dictators such as Mobutu See Seko of DR Congo and Idi Amin of Uganda. Muntaka who has previously complained about how Prof. Mike Oquaye is running affairs in … Read more
In our series of letters from Africa, Zimbabwean journalist-turned-barrister Brian Hungwe considers the fate of ousted President Robert Mugabe as he celebrates his 94th birthday. A famous quote by Machiavelli advises politicians: “It is better to be feared than loved – if you cannot have both.” However, the Italian Renaissance author and statesman then warns … Read more
The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended military cooperation with former colonial power Belgium after Brussels criticised President Joseph Kabila’s choice of prime minister, sources said Friday. “The decision to suspend military cooperation with Belgium has taken effect. This measure was pending since (Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders) came out and attacked the Congolese authorities,” … Read more
The son of Etienne Tshisekedi, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s late opposition leader, has been chosen as his father’s successor. Felix Tshisekedi, 53, will now lead the opposition coalition in crucial negotiations over the departure of President Joseph Kabila from office. Under a deal agreed last year, new elections would be held by the end … Read more
Mining giant Glencore said Monday it had struck a deal worth nearly $1 billion to purchase shares of two mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo from a controversial Israeli magnate. Switzerland-based Glencore said it will pay Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler’s Fleurette group $960 million (905 million euros) for Fleurette’s 31 percent share in the … Read more
The African Union (AU) has expressed sorrow at the death of Etienne Tshisekedi, main opposition chief in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The 84-year-old veteran politician died on Wednesday evening at age 84 in Belgium’s capital Brussels. The AU extended condolences to the Tshisekedi family, to members of his party, the Union for Democracy … Read more
DR Congo’s main opposition leader has died in Brussels aged 84, reports say. Etienne Tshisekedi, one of the country’s most important advocates of democracy, was a prominent opponent of successive Congolese leaders. The party he helped found in 1982, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress party (UDPS), said he had travelled to Belgium last … Read more
Congo’s main opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi, one of the country’s most important advocates of democracy, has died in Brussels aged 84, diplomatic sources said on Wednesday. Tshisekedi stood up to Mobutu Sese Seko, who ruled the country, then known as Zaire, for decades before being overthrown by Rwanda, Uganda and other forces. He was also … Read more
Mr. Mervyn King, former head of the United Kingdom’s Bank of England, recently stated that another financial crisis is “certain” and could come sooner rather than later. Mr. King also believes that most politicians and Central Bankers don’t understand what caused the most recent financial crisis dating back to 2008. Accordingly, without understanding the 2008 … Read more
Protesters gathered in Democratic Republic of Congo’s capital and at least one other city, defying a ban on demonstrations against the president’s plans to stay in office past the end of his term on Monday. Security forces blocked access to Kinshasa University, facing off against groups waving red cards telling President Joseph Kabila to go, … Read more
Congolese President Joseph Kabila’s final term in office expires on Monday, with no election to choose a successor and amid a surge in popular anger over what opponents say is an attempt to cling to power in defiance of the constitution. The election has been postponed until at least April 2018 on the grounds of … Read more
“Africa will write its own history, and it will be, to the north and to the south of the Sahara, a history of glory and dignity (Patrice Lumumba). ‘The world is at critical juncture, and so are you…Go ahead and make your plans…and don’t stop learning. But be open to the detours that lead to … Read more