COUNTRY IN FOCUS •
Image by Natanaelginting on Freepik
CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE IN FOCUS
Congo-Brazzaville is often confused with and largely overshadowed by its neighbour the DRC , but aims to change that , writes Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp .
Washed by the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest , Congo- Brazzaville – officially the Republic of the Congo – is a country located in Central Africa . It shares borders with Gabon to the west , Cameroon to the northwest , the Central African Republic to the northeast , and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and south .
Most of the country is covered by plateaus and basins , with the most prominent being the Mayombe Plateau in the west and the Niari Basin in the south . Numerous rivers crisscross the land , with the most important being the Congo River , which forms part of its eastern border and is navigable for much of the Congo ’ s length .
With a tropical climate of high temperatures and humidity prevailing throughout the year , the country experiences two distinct seasons – a rainy season from March to May and a dry season from June to February . Congo-Brazzaville is home to extensive tropical rainforests , particularly in the north and east . These forests are among the most biodiverse in the world . They are a source of timber , which is an important export , however , deforestation is a major environmental concern .
Congo-Brazzaville was colonised by the French from 1882 . The country gained its independence in 1960 , and until 1990 , Congo- Brazzaville was a one-party state under the leadership of the Congolese Labor Party . In 1992 , the country transitioned to a multiparty democracy , however , elections have been marred by violence and allegations of fraud . Sassou Nguesso has been the president of Congo-Brazzaville since 1997 , with a brief interruption from 1998 to 2002 .
Economy and infrastructure While there are some major roads and railways , the overall transportation infrastructure is often inadequate , particularly in rural areas . This often hinders economic development and trade . The country has , however , made progress in improving energy access , but challenges remain in ensuring reliable and affordable electricity supply . The telecommunications sector has also seen growth , with increasing mobile phone penetration and internet connectivity , but gaps persist in rural areas .
Geology and mining The Republic of Congo is a major crude oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa , providing about 50 % of the government ’ s revenue and 90 % of export earnings . Almost all the oil is derived offshore . The economy ' s dependence on oil makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices and although the government has been working to diversify the economy , progress has been slow . Poverty and unemployment remain significant challenges .
The northwest and the southern central part of the country are mostly underlain by Precambrian rocks of Archean to
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