This book describes the historical setting of Zaire and focuses on economic and political developments during the Mobutu era. It examines the corrupt and closed political system, with its roots in the colonial state and precolonial political patterns.

Over the past two decades, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been at the centre of the deadliest series of conflicts since the Second World War, and now hosts the largest United Nations peacekeeping mission in the world. In this compelling book, acclaimed journalist Michael Deibert paints a picture of a nation in flux, inching towards peace but at the same time solidifying into another era of authoritarian rule under its enigmatic president, Joseph Kabila. Featuring a wealth of first-hand interviews and secondary sources, the narrative travels from war-torn villages in the country's east to the chaotic, pulsing capital of Kinshasa in order to bring us the voices of the Congolese - from impoverished gold prospectors and market women to government officials - as it explores the complicated political, ethnic and economic geography of this tattered land. A must-read for anyone interested in contemporary Africa, The Democratic Republic of Congo: Between, Hope and Despair sheds new light on this sprawling and often misunderstood country that has become iconic both for its great potential and dashed hopes.

""This book proposes that Christian theology in Africa can have a significant impact if a critical understanding of the socio-political situation in contemporary Africa is taken seriously. The Christian leadership in post-colonial Africa has cloned its understanding and use of authority on the Bula Matari model, which issued from the brutality of colonialism and political absolutism in post-colonial Africa. This model has caused many problems in churches, including dysfunction, conflicts, division and lack of prophetic ministry. The book proposes that Life-Community ecclesiology can liberate authority, where leadership is a function, not a status and 'apostolic succession' belongs to all the people of God. This is a superb book on leadership, which has implications for all in church leadership beyond the Congo. Ande analyzes how church leadership has often mimicked secular models in an unhelpful way. He critiques the use of power and privilege and offers an alternative model of life-community ecclesiology. This is an informative, instructive and compelling read."" Cathy Ross J V Taylor Fellow in Missiology, Oxford University, Manager, Crowther Centre for Mission Education, CMS ""Dr. Ande's book is a very important addition to the history of Christianity in the eastern Congo Democratic Republic. His careful study of the growth of the Anglican church in Boga and Aru clearly and vividly explores the different dynamics of church growth in these two areas. He is sensitive to the differing ways in which Ugandan Anglicanism has provided models for the development of the church in Congo, by a study both of the original evangelism from Buganda associated with Apolo Kivebulaya in Boga, and the more recent impact of Revivalist Christianity mediated through the West Nile during times of political confusion in both countries. The historical material is used with great insight to develop a constructive theology of power and authority in the church, and to critique existing structures of clerical and episcopal power."" Kevin Ward, Senior Lecturer, Department of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Leeds Rt. Rev. Dr. Titre Ande Georges, Congolese, is currently the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Aru, Democratic Republic of Congo. He is a former principal of the Anglican Theological College, ISThA, at Bunia, and still lectures at the college. He has a PhD from the University of Birmingham.

Mobutu or Chaos? is the latest product of the Foreign Policy Research Institute's study on friendly tyrants. Like its predecessors, it tackles the thorny question of how to deal with the pro-U.S. authoritarian regimes that have bedeviled U.S. foreign policy for the better part of forty years. The book chronicles the U.S. relations with Mobutu from their beginnings in the sixties when support for the ruler was justifiable by higher goals, through to the present when the degeneration of his regime into incompetence and severe brutality raises new questions both practical and moral as to the justification of continued relations. This volume is important to all those interested in Zaire, Africa, and the general workings of U.S. foreign policy. Co-published with the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

The African Stakes in the Congo War analyzes the Congo conflict by looking at the roles played by various states and factors in the conflict. Part I introduces the conflict by showing the historical and regional context of the war. Part II examines those states and groups that worked to support the Kaliba regime; Part III examines the rebel groups working to overthrow Kabila and those intervening on their behalf. Part IV looks at the role of supposedly neutral states such as South Africa and looks at the social and economic effects of the war by examining trans-state factors such as rebel groups, arms trading, and economic consequences. The collection includes both African and US/UK scholars, and covers the recent transfer of power from Laurent to Joseph Kabila.