From Zaire to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This paper examines the political and social situation in the DRC since May 1997, together with the prospects for a successful political and social transition. Consistent with the deepest aspirations of the Congolese population, such a transition will succeed if it involves an irreversible development towards multiparty democracy and the full utilisation of the country’s immense resources for economic and social development. In other words, a successful transition is one in which basic freedoms and liberties will be guaranteed through democratic governance and the rule of law, with tangible improvements in living conditions.2nd, revised ed. -- CONTENTS -- THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT -- The Legacy of Authoritarianism -- The Impact of the National Conference -- The Informalisation of the Economy -- FROM MOTUTU SESE SEKO TO LAURENT-DÉSIRÉ KABILA -- The Seven-Month War to Overthrow the Mobutu Regime -- A New Dictator for the Congo -- The War for Congo’s Natural Resources -- THE NEED FOR A SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION -- Managing the Political Transition -- Economic and Social Reconstruction Implications for the Great Lakes Region