Government losing influence in DRC - EIU

Angola’s relations with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have cooled somewhat under the new president, Joseph Kabila, who assumed power following the assassination of his father in January, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) said on Tuesday. “The new cabinet and other personnel changes announced by Mr Kabila have resulted in a loss of Angolan influence over Congo to Zimbabwe, which appears to have consolidated its control over the new government,” the EIU said.

The EIU said Angola’s strongest supporter in the previous government, Edy Kapend, a former presidential aide de camp, was arrested in February amid an official inquiry into the assassination of Laurent-Desire Kabila. “It is speculated that Mr Kapend had a role in the assassination, although the inquiry may refrain from naming him publicly in the interest of regional sensibilities,” the EIU said.

“Angola is believed to have suggested that Mr Kapend be allowed to go into exile rather than face justice in Congo. The Congolese government has also voiced its displeasure following the discovery of an alleged coup plot thought to have emanated from Congo (Brazzaville), which they regard as being under the control of the Angolan security services,” the EIU added.

There are several thousand Angolan troops based in Brazzaville, and the government there is in effect dependent on Angola for its security, said the EIU. “Otherwise, the two governments have maintained an outward show of solidarity, and Mr Kabila conduced an official visit to Luanda at the end of April, when he expressed appreciation for Angola’s role in Congo, and said that he would continue to support its efforts to prevent UNITA from using Congolese territory,” it added.