Submit this form
Home News Videos Music Photos Facebook Twitter Friends Newsletter Podcasts Mobile RSS
DRC President Will Head Regional African Economic Body

VOA News - October 31, 2007

Schwarz report - Download 881k (mp3) audio clip
Listen to Schwarz report audio clip

The Economic Community of Central African States has named Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila to be its next head.  Analysts say Mr. Kabila, who has been accused of human rights abuses and corruption in his own country, is nevertheless a smart choice for the regional body.  Naomi Schwarz has more from VOA's West and Central Africa bureau in Dakar.

Despite decades of rebellion and economic instability, the Democratic Republic of Congo and its president, Joseph Kabila, are the logical choice to lead Central Africa's regional economic body, some experts say.

Muzong Kodi is an analyst for Britain-based research institute Chatham House.

"The DRC by itself with its 16 million-plus population has more people than the rest of Central Africa combined," Kodi said. "It also has a potentially very dynamic and rich economy which can contribute to the development of the sub-region."

Mr. Kabila was chosen at the 13th conference of heads of state and governments, held this week in Brazzaville, capital of the neighboring Republic of Congo.  Mr. Kabila will take over from that country's president, Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Kodi says the Democratic Republic of Congo's increased involvement in the Economic Community of Central African States and the country's increasing stability after democratic elections held last year, are what the regional economic body needs to become a real power.

"With all the problems that the DRC has had over the last two decades, there was no way the organization could really take off," Kodi said. "Now that DRC is coming out of the problems that it had, and its economy is showing signs to stabilize, I think the organization stands to gain quite a lot."

Despite some signs of progress in Congo, Mr. Kabila faces a growing conflict with rebels in the east of the country. Non-governmental organizations have accused his government of gross human rights violations and corruption.  But Kodi says his controversial profile is unlikely to hurt ECCAS.

"He is not any worse than many of the other presidents he is with," he said.

ECCAS members also include Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Gabon, Cameroon,  Sao Tome and Principe, and Rwanda.  Chad and Central African Republic are grappling with rebellions and ethnic conflicts. 

Those countries, plus the Democratic Republic of Congo and Equatorial Guinea, rank among the world's 20 most corrupt nations.  Other countries within the region have been accused of human rights abuse, illegal exploitation of natural resources and rigging elections.

The regional economic body was founded more than two decades ago to promote economic integration.

But so far, says Institute for Security Studies' Paul Simon Hendy, it has failed to implement key steps in that direction.

"Tariff and trade barriers are still very high in that region," he said. "That means the intra-region trade is extremely weak, partly because of these trade barriers.  And also, you still need a visa going from an ECCAS country to another one."

But he says he has seen signs the member states are starting to see the importance of lowering barriers.

"ECCAS is trying to find its way towards new dynamism, new vitality, and it is more than time to have that kind of resolution in the region," Hendy said.

In 1999, Angola, one of the larger economies in the region, joined the community, which analysts say was a catalyst towards integration. The European Union has also encouraged ECCAS to increase economic integration.

In a message to the ECCAS meeting in Brazzaville this week, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon praised the region for its steps toward integration and peace.  But he said continued troubles in the region create obstacles to the population's prosperity and well-being.  
 


Related articles


  1. Felix Tshisekedi Sworn In as DR Congo President (January 24, 2019)
  2. Constitutional Court Declares Tshisekedi Winner of Presidential Election (January 19, 2019)
  3. Felix Tshisekedi Vows to Be the President of All Congolese (January 10, 2019)
  4. Felix Tshisekedi Elected DR Congo President (January 10, 2019)
  5. DR Congo Delays Results of December Election (January 6, 2019)
  6. Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
  7. No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
  8. US Warns DR Congo Against Electronic Voting for Delayed Election (February 12, 2018)
  9. Felix Tshisekedi accuses INEC of illegally prolonging Kabila's mandate (October 24, 2017)
  10. DRC Seeks Arrest of Presidential Candidate Moise Katumbi (May 19, 2016)
  11. Papa Wemba Is Buried in Kinshasa (May 4, 2016)
  12. Papa Wemba Awarded Highest National Honor as Thousands Pay Tribute (May 2, 2016)
  13. Rights Groups: DR Congo Must Free Pro-democracy Activists (April 13, 2015)
  14. Police Open Fire on Crowd Protesting Election Law Change (January 19, 2015)
  15. ICC Case Against Bemba Wrapping Up as Another Opens (November 12, 2014)
  16. Denis Mukwege Wins Sakharov Prize 2014 (October 21, 2014)
  17. Etienne Tshisekedi Evacuated to Belgium for Medical Treatment (August 16, 2014)
  18. Kerry Calls on Kabila to Honor Constitution (May 4, 2014)
  19. Kerry in DR Congo for Security Talks (May 3, 2014)
  20. DR Congo Takes Chairmanship of COMESA at Summit in Kinshasa (February 26, 2014)
  21. New DR Congo amnesty law welcomed by UN envoys (February 5, 2014)
  22. DR Congo Honors Nelson Mandela, Hero and Model for Humanity (December 6, 2013)
  23. Congo Army Takes Control of Mbuzi Hill From M23 Rebels (November 4, 2013)
  24. Kabila Congratulates Congo Army for Defeating M23 Rebels (October 30, 2013)
  25. UN Security Council debate focuses on peace efforts for Africa's Great Lakes region (July 25, 2013)
  26. DR Congo Eases Process for Starting a New Business (June 3, 2013)
  27. Regional Leaders Sign DR Congo Peace Deal (February 24, 2013)
  28. The M23 Rebels Want to Overthrow Kabila? Nonsense (November 28, 2012)
  29. Protests Against M23 Rebels, Government and UN Spread (November 22, 2012)
  30. Thousands Protest M23 Capture of Goma, Turn on Government and UN (November 21, 2012)


Live TV Congo Radio en ligne Radio
Available on App Store
Get it on Google Play



Contact Us | About Us | Édition en Français | French Edition

© CongoPlanet.com. All rights reserved.