Consequences
There are several
adverse effects that the Kleptocracy imposed by Denis Sassou Nguesso has done
in the Republic Congo. The first victim of Sassou Nguesso’s long misrule, is
Democracy and the second, is the absence of free speech. And because the
Nguessos, through Kleptocracy have amassed enormous wealth, they are today present
in all aspects of life in country. Furthermore, all gains made in the democratic
dispensation of the 90s, which culminated with the holding of the country’s
first post independence genuine democratic presidential election have been
reversed. A prove that, democracy in
Congo has reversed its progress is that, today, the Republic of Congo is not
only a violent dictatorship, she has become a Kleptocracy. Besides the Republic
of Benin, Congo was one of the rare countries in French-speaking black Africa
that held a sovereign national conference, to discuss and prepare the country
from one party rule to multiparty democracy. And as a direct result of holding
the sovereign national conference, Congo as already mentioned, held its first
post independence democratic general elections that were won by Pascal Lissouba
and the PCT, lost its majority in parliament in favour of the UPADS. The other
consequences of the long reign of Denis Sassou Nguesso are excessive
corruption, immorality and laziness. Furthermore, the excessive accumulation of
illicit wealth by the Nguessos equally obstructs the advancement of genuine
democracy because they buy political loyalties, precisely by corrupting members
of the opposition and civil society organisations. The trend in Congo Brazzaville of the creation
of fictitious political parties and civil society organisations is equally a
direct result of manipulations orchestrated Denis Sassou Nguesso and his clan,
the Nguessos. Besides using their wealth to destroy genuine opposition
political parties, civil society organisations and control the press, they have
also bought or are investing massively in the purchase of weapons for the
national army and also the Congolese Police Force. By arming the security
forces, especially the Congolese Police, which is headed by General Jean
Francois Ndenguet, the ruling Nguesso family are shielding or protecting
themselves from any eventual uprising from the population. Any attempt by the
population to rise or protest the misrule of Denis Sassou Nguesso is violent
repressed by a Police force that is known for its brutality and human rights
violations. And that partly explained the reason why, major political party
leaders of the opposition, civil society activists and journalists are either
in jail or banned from holding meetings or carrying out any activity
independently.
Recommendations:
Kleptocracy
is detrimental to democracy and economic development in any country where it is
practiced. Sadly, this form of governance is not only practiced in Congo
Brazzaville but in almost all countries within the sub region albeit with some
variations as already mentioned. While in
countries where Kleptocracy is practiced, citizens don’t fold their arms or are
resigned, they try as best as they can, to fight against entrenched
Kleptocratic values through one form or the other. However, as the examples of
the cases of Burundi, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, DRC and Congo has shown,
in spite all internal efforts carried out by prodemocracy activists, without
the support of the international community, Kleptocratic systems can’t be
conquered easily. Hence the fight to end Kleptocracy in Congo Brazzaville can
only be successful with the help of the international community and it must not
be a country focused fight only, but expanded regionally or in all countries
where Kleptocracy exist. If the international community ever decides to fight
sincerely and boldly against Kleptocracy, it should have a strategy that is
synonymous to casting a wide dragnet around leaders of countries such as Congo,
DRC, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola and Chad. This is so because
the leaders of the aforementioned countries are those promoting and sustaining
Kleptocracy, the most within the region. In my humble opinion the following
steps should be used by the international community to weaken and eventually
destroy all Kleptocracies that are expanding around the central Africa region:
-
A name and shame campaigns with the help of the international community should
be launched in local and international media, in order to expose Kleptocrats and
those supporting them
-Kleptocrats
and their supporters should be restricted from purchasing properties in western
countries. Their families and close family members should equally be restricted
from sending their children in western school schools or being given medical
treatment in western countries.
-The
international community should support journalists, journalist trade unions and
independent media in the areas of investigative journalism.
-The
US government must increase its influence in the promotion of liberal democracy
in countries targeted by the scourge of Kleptocracy and if necessary, use its
military power to overthrow dictatorial regimes and also use military might to
enforce liberal democracy, which is the only deterrent against the expansion of
Kleptocracy.
-Furthermore, the US should use its influence on France by forcing or compelling
her to change her blind eye approach toward Congo Brazzaville and other
dictatorships/Kleptocracies within the sub region.
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