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Congo (Vol 19, 2022)

in Africa Yearbook Online
Author:
Brett L. Carter
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On 10 July, the government of President Denis Sassou Nguesso organised the fifth set of legislative elections since he reclaimed power in 1997. With his two chief opponents from the 2016 election still in prison, the elections were boycotted by several major opposition parties. Amid widespread and credible reports of fraud, Sassou Nguesso’s Parti Congolais du Travail (pct) claimed an overwhelming victory. Civil society groups estimated a turnout of just 10%. After the election, the government launched a crackdown against rivals. Civil society groups had their offices ransacked, an opposition leader was detained, and a tv station was suspended. The government’s foreign policy was animated by Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. In exchange for diplomatic support, Sassou Nguesso signed new cooperation agreements with the government of Russian president Vladimir Putin. As European governments sought to diversify their energy sources away from Russian oil, they looked in part to Sassou Nguesso, who signed fresh production agreements with Italian major Eni. In France, the Sassou Nguesso family continued to confront allegations of corruption, asset seizures, and indictments for money laundering. Although government debt remained on the verge of distress and more than half of citizens lived in extreme poverty, Congo’s economic fortunes were buoyed slightly by the rise in global oil prices and new loans from the imf.
Title:
Congo (Vol 19, 2022)
Author:
Brett L. Carter
Africa Yearbook Online
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1163/1872-9037_ayb_ayb2022_COM_0024
Language:
English
Source Editors:
Seidu M. Alidu, Benedikt Kamski, Andreas Mehler, and David Sebudubudu
First-online:
31 Dec 2023
ISSN:
1872-9037
Publisher:
Brill

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