Howard French on the possibilities of a New Congo rising after the defeat of M23.
Of course, the ultimate step toward a coherent Congolese state is the provision of services and the collection of taxes. Congo has scant experience with either. Its population subsists in large part on foreign aid and the delivery of services by a huge patchwork of foreign charities. However well intentioned, they have become part of the problem: Under this system, Congolese governments have little incentive to actually govern.
that last sentence sums up everything I’ve ever said about good intentions. Worth a read, French is probably one of the more sober African developments analysts of late, and this cogent piece on Congo is proof to that fact.
