Alain Akouala Atipault aka “the manager”: Reporting for another duty for Denis Sassou Nguesso

Alain Akouala Atipault: until his recent appointed as Congo’s ambassador designate to France, a post that, he never assumed, because of reasons not worth explaining hereon, he was minister delegate at the Presidency of the Republic, in charge of Special Economic Zones. He is one of the rare government minister of President Denis Sassou Nguesso who can walk anywhere in the country without a body guard. He is a man of the people and indeed a very simple free minded man. While he is fluent in both English and French, he prefers to speak only the Lingala language. Lingala is one of the two widely spoken national languages in Congo and western DRC. He is also one of the ministers of Denis Sassou Nguesso’s government that, I have spoken with who has a clear cut ideological orientation. He is a Communist pan Africanist. His main national political idol or role model is: Marien Ngouabi, on whom, he can spend an entire year speaking with passion about and also in excessive praise. To Alain Akouala, Marien Ngouabi is the all time best President of Congo. On Marien Ngouabi, Alain Akouala is not the only Congolese who is full of praise of a leader who died in controversial circumstances in 1977. Marien Ngouabi is held in a kind mythology in Congo and he was also a pan Africanist whose actions are not known because those he brought to power in 1968, did not only help to kill him but they have done everything to destroy or undermine his legacy.  

Marien Ngouabi was amongst those Thomas Isidore Sankara considered as heroes and role models in his own actions and policies in Burkina Faso. Like Marien Ngouabi, Thomas Sankara was killed by his brothers in arms. Commandant Marien Ngouabi is to Congolese what John Fritz Kennedy is to the Americans, an idol that can still win elections, even in his grave against any presidential candidate in Congo. Marien Ngouabi was an example of probity absent today in Congo’s political elite.  The other idols of Alain Akouala are: Ahmed Sekou Toure of Guinea, Patrice Emery Lumumba of the DRC, Antonio Agostinho Neto of Angola, Amílcar Lopes da Costa Cabral of Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde, Gamal Abdel Nasser Hussein of Egypt and Samora Moisés Machel of Mozambique. He also loves Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz of Cuba and Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela of South Africa. But he thinks that, the South African and global icon is a sellout, for having in his expression, conceded too much to the white minorities. Another thing he spends time speaking in glorious terms about is the battle of Cuito Cuannavale in Angola. A battle fought between 1987 and 1988 and it was the most important battle and turning point in the liberation combed ideological proxy war pitting the imperial powers of the United States against the USA on African soil. On one hand were the South African Defense Force supported by UNITA of Dr Jonas Savimbi while on the other hand were the Cuban forces supported by the MPLA, Soviet Union, ANC and SWAPO.

The commander of the first was Colonel Deon Ferreira, while the commander of the second was General Leopoldo Cintras Frias aka Polo. In the mind of Alain Akouala, the Berlin wall has not fallen and he also thinks that Africa, especially French-speaking Africa is in a second a ferocious decolonization process against the imperialists.The fact that he is still a minister in Denis Sassou Nguesso’s government to point of being given the strategic post of ambassador of Congo to France is a unique testimony of his resilience and independent fighting spirit, for he doesn’t have the support of the children of the President as it is the case with most government ministers in Congo. Alain Akouala is an independent minded person who believes in the values of true democracy, the respect of free speech and protection and defense of human rights. He also respects the rights of all minorities’ even homosexuals, something most of his colleagues can’t stand. He also doesn’t belong to any of the orders or cult groups that most influential men and women Congo and Africa likes to be attached to or be members of. Therefore, he is not a member of any fraternities such as Bilderberg, Freemason, Armoc or any tribal orders or fraternity. 

Even though born in a Christian Roman catholic family, he seldom goes to church. Most often than not, combated by some members of the ruling family who have influence on some government ministers as already mentioned, he has survived because he is a fighter  who has rendered himself indispensable in the defense of the regime and in particular, President Denis Sassou Nguesso. He is exceptionally proactive in the defense of President Denis Sassou Nguesso than most government ministers, to a point that, he has been nicknamed: “the cobra of Denis Sassou Nguesso”. Edgard Nguesso, the nephew of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Director of Presidential Domains calls him “the manager”, whatever that means is left to the author to explain, while Issidore Mvouba, MP and minister in Denis Sassou Nguesso’s government calls him the cobra of Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Mr. Mvouba, MP is even the author of the phrase: Cobra of Denis Sassou Nguesso. This because he was impressive in the way Alain Akouala defended the president and his family at the height of accusations in France by NGOs who were accusation the President and his family of having amassed illicit wealth.. While Mvouba,MP might be happy and supports Alain Akouala in his defense of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, not everyone seems to be impressed with the militant defense of the president carried out by Alain Akouala. One of such is Bruno Jean Richard Itoa, MP and current minister of Scientific Research of Congo. He thinks that Alain Akouala is too zealous in defense of the President and doing very little in the function to which he has been appointed. As for Mathias Dzon, former finance minister of Denis Sassou Nguesso and currently his main rival in the opposition, he says: “Alain Akouala will use and dumped very soon by Denis Sassou Nguesso”. 

He also says: “he doesn’t understand the reason why such as brilliant and hard working person such Alain Akouala is investing too much energy in a system and a man of the past in the caliber of Denis Sassou”. But Alain Akouala, who is in his mid 50s and married, doesn’t care. He is a loyal servant of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, because he is the successor of his idol, Marien Ngouabi. He also adds that: “people must learn in Congo and Africa to be loyal and assume the consequences and not be unnecessarily opportunistic”. He is a force to be counter upon within the current system and even if, the system changes and the new  one has the spirit of inclusion and stability, Alain Akouala will still have a greater responsibility and role to play in Congo and in the next two or three decades ahead. Alain Akouala likes African political history, Congolese Rumba music and Biking with his children during the weekends without guards. He is really a man of the people from Gamboma, the most populated city in the north of Congo.

Gilda Rosemonde Ngambo:Shrewd and unpredictable (Profile)

She is the spokeswoman of an association known in French as Movement Citoyen pour le Respect de l’ordre Constitutionelle or in English, Citizen Movement for the Respect of Constitutional Order.  It is a popular youth movement created by the opposition to mobilize Congolese against plans by the government to change the constitution of 20^th January 2002, which installed two terms presidential limits. Before receiving her as guest in my live Television programme called: La Grande Interview on Friday May 30^th 2014 at 8h30 pm, on MNTV, I first met her at Hotel Saphire, where she was working. On that day, she was in the company of another member of their movement by name Wifried Kivouvou. I was struck by her simplicity and her intelligence. And within me, I was saying that, she won’t stay long with the Congolese opposition. I was impressed by her, because, in a country, where rich men in high places, almost all, belonging to the ruling PCT Party, have destroyed young women. It was therefore hard to see a young intelligent lady such as Rosemonde, who accepted to suffer in the opposition and also to be married to a man who was not wealthy.

In short, Rosemonde is different from most Congolese girls, who are mostly crass and mostly animated by materialism.  Some or a majority of Congolese young girls are equal to their male peers in one area: corruption. They almost all have one rallying cry or slogan in French, that goes thus: “Vie ton moment” or in English: “live you’re your moment”. These kind of young girls want to have a Toyota RAV 4 car, a dream trip to Paris or Dubai, as it is currently the trend and also upon return, they are expected to open a boutique at the Marche Moungali. All these expected largesse, is from the deep pocket of an old married and corrupt politician belonging to the ruling PCT party.  30 or more years of PCT rule in Congo, has destroyed the foundation of Congo. Immorality and the culture of immediacy are what reigns in Congo under Denis Sassou Nguesso. Gilda Rosemode Montsara Ngambo, who is a writer, is different and immune to the attractions of cheap shinning, but ephemeral lifestyle that most young women of her generation have chosen. And more, when she decided to enter into politics, she opted for the difficult track, that of the opposition. She is intelligent and bold, with a strong mastery of Congolese politics and also with an extraordinary debating capacity that frightens opponents in the opposition as well as in the majority.  

Thierry Moungalla, Minister of Communications of Congo says that, she is shrewd and unpredictable. While Alain Akouala describes her as the best in her generation with an Olympian calm that is incapacitating.  As for Clement Mierassa, he says: Rosemonde is the example that, there are competent young Congolese in the country.  She is perhaps the best choice that the opposition has ever made in contemporary times. That of selecting a lady not because she is connected to anyone within the hierarchy of the opposition, but she was selected based only on her merit. She is one of the people to be counted on, especially if the opposition comes to power or if, there is any kind of coalition government and if she is given a post of responsibility, she would serve as a role model to many Congolese girls, who only think that, success depends on material possession or getting married to a wealthy old corrupt politician, who is member of the ruling party. Rosemonde is not only a symbol of hope that, there are youthful potentials in the young generation of those who have chosen the opposition, but she is also a symbol of hope to people who think that, the current generation of young men and women in Congo, is one that is lost in the corruption and cheap lifestyle shown to them as examples by those currently ruling the country.  The other lady that I have met is Mrs. Claudine Munari Mabondzou MP. 

Claudia Sassou Nguesso: Profile of a Congolese rock of Gibralter

They are Jean Dominique Okemba and Jean Jacques Bouya. And between both men, who stands the most or has the greatest chance of succeeding Denis Sassou Nguesso? It is Jean Dominique Okemba. Why? It is simply because; Jean Dominique Okemba is straightforward and crafty. He has money and commands a solid network of loyalists within the security apparatus of the state: Army, Navy, Air force, Police and Customs. He also has connections within the civil society and political parties of the opposition as well as in the majority. The icing on the cake is that, within the government, Jean Dominique Okemba has ministers who are in government because of him. Furthermore, the fact that, he is not highly educated makes others within and without the family, who have presidential ambitions, to look down on him or tend to ignore him and this, to their very own detriment and also their ambitions. The list of Jean Dominique Okemba’s victims is impressive and the most prized of his contemporary victims is Colonel Marcel Nstourou. And within the family, his victims in the internal power struggle are Colonel Hillaire Mokou and Maurice Nguesso and also General Pierre Oba. Jean Dominique Okemba is the most influential member of the ruling family. However, there are others as well.

They are:  Aime Emmanuel Yoka, Maurice Nguesso, Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, Wilfried Nguesso, Edgard Nguesso, Claudia Sassou Nguesso, Cendrine Sassou Nguesso, Ninelle Sassou Nguesso and Lydie Hortense Kourissa. However, Claudia Sassou Nguesso who is the special adviser to her father on Communications and media and also Member of Parliament for Talangai constituency is unique in the Nguesso power galaxy. In spite all the schemes and accusations leveled against Claudia Sassou Nguesso, she still stands around her father like the rock of Gibraltar.  Claudia Sassou Nguesso is very influential around her father and also the country. She can make and destroy the careers of people. Alain Akouala Atipault, for minister communications and former minister delegate at the Presidency of the Republic is one of her victims. Alain was a brilliant and fanatical supporter of President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Alain Akouala Atipault is still a supporter of President Denis Sassou Nguesso. However, he is a disappointed man.  The simple fact that he wanted to obey only the father and not the daughter is the cause of his downfall. Hence, he was wittingly thrown out of government.

By contrast, the current minister of Communications, Mr Thierry Moungalla has ascended within the power circle to become what he is today because he is first loyal to Claudia before the president and finally, the state.  The only person in the ruling family who can rival Claudia and also stop her in her ambition is Jean Dominique Okemba. Hence there are frequent clashes between Claudia and Jean Dominique Okemba. While both Claudia Sassou Nguesso and Jean Dominique Okemba command a lot of influence around Denis Sassou Nguesso, the entire family is ganging up against Jean Dominique Okemba. The reason is simple. It is partly because of the influence that Jean Dominique Okemba commands and also the proximity that Jean Dominique Okemba has with their father and uncle of a president. A section of the ruling family is afraid that with the proximity and power that Jean Dominique Okemba has developed on the side of the President, he might be the real successor designate. Their fear is not unfounded. If anyone who has an analytical looks at the way President Denis Sassou Nguesso operates, he seem to have a plan for Jean Dominique Okemba. 

Having said or written the above, the truth is that, President Denis Sassou Nguesso has not designated any successor. The simple fact that, Jean Dominique Okemba is the one who does all special missions and is present in any special matters in Congo or abroad, shows that, the President of the Republic might be preparing the ground work for Okemba to succeed him one day.  However this none official plan of the president is in direct opposition to that of Claudia Sassou Nguesso and other members of the ruling family. This group would want that, in case President Sassou Nguesso leaves power, he should be replaced either by Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso or any other biological son or direct nephew. That is as of now, the low intensity intra family battle that is being fought and that has not been put in the public space.  As for Claudia Ikia Sassou Nguesso, she is formerly Mrs. Lemboumba, the name of her late Gabonese husband. She is besides being an adviser to her father as already mentioned, she a member of parliament for Quartier 68 in Talangai.

Talangai is one of the sprawling populous neighborhoods located north of Brazzaville. She was controversially elected in 2012 after defeating her cousin Rene Serge Blanchard Oba. The truth is that, Rene Serge Blanchard Oba was forced to concede defeat only after he accepted via the mediation of Maurice Nguesso to be paid FCFA 1 billion or $ 6 hundred thousand. In other words, Claudia Sassou Nguesso bought herself into parliament. However, the sum promised to Rene Serge Blanchard Oba for grudgingly conceding defeat was never paid. And it is partly one of the reasons why today, Rene Serge Blanchard Oba has joined the radical wing of the opposition in Congo. Another reason why Rene Serge Blanchard Oba is in the opposition today is because, since he was dismissed as Director General of Congo Telecom, he has not been given any other responsibility or job. In fact, Rene Serge Blanchard Oba whose party abbreviated MSD was sponsored by late Edith Lucie Bongo Ondimba is jobless and he also claims that, he is persecuted by other family members such as Michel Ngakala.  To conclude, if Rene Serge Blanchard Oba  was paid FCFA 1 billion that her cousin Claudia promised him for his silence  or he had a good job, he won’t have been a member of the radical opposition.

Claudia Sassou Nguesso is the Communications adviser to her father and is also one of the few children of the president who has undergone and completed university education. But it is not known in which field she really studied or the name of her University. But one thing that attracts me to her is that, she speaks fluent English. She is one of the two Denis Sassou Nguesso children whom, I know who speaks English fluently.  The only problem with Claudia is that, unlike her elder late half elder sister, Edith Lucie Bongo Ondimba, (she) Claudia Sassou Nguesso is not loved by Congolese. And the hatred is visceral. I was startled by the hostility directed toward her in one Taxi that I boarded while in Oyo in 2009. When I wanted to say something positive about Claudia Sassou Nguesso, the taxi driver reacted with great anger.  I don’t know whether she had a personal problem with the Taxi driver or not. But what I noticed in Oyo and also in Brazzaville and elsewhere in the country that I went was that, Claudia Sassou Nguesso is hated for no founded reason. She is a source of wild tales and amongst them, one holds that, she is very aggressive.  

Personally, she has never acted wickedly or aggressively on me. But what I suspect as being partly why she is rejected by the people is because her mother comes from neighboring DRC. And in Congo, there is a deep seeded aversion against people from the DRC. The other reason why she is hated is because of power. The fact that, she is very close to her father might have also ignited the flames of hatred in the minds of those who looks or considers her as an obstacle to reach her father. To the defense of Claudia Sassou Nguesso, I think that, if she always puts up an aggressive posture, it is simply as an act of defense, for she is mindful of the hostility and hatred that is directed toward her for founded and unfounded reasons. Claudia Sassou Nguesso might also be aggressive because she thinks that, all those coming or gravitating around her father, especially whites as well as none whites, are not sincere or are interested only in her father’s wealth or money.

But one thing I suspect with her is that, she is too susceptible and sees conspiracy all over. She twice told her father that, I was a CIA spy. This was reported to me first by Maurice Nguesso and secondly by Raymond Zephirin Mboulou, the minister of interior. On this last information, the minister of interior was the one who defended me, when she first wanted me to be expelled from Congo.  The sad thing with her is that, like her father, she doesn’t seem to like independent press.