Past Event
September
21
2023
Defense & Security
The legacy and future of the Wagner Group
Nearly two years after the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) saw a peaceful transfer of power to President Félix Tshisekedi following a nevertheless flawed election, numerous significant political and economic developments have transpired in the country. The president’s chief of staff, Vital Kamerhe, was convicted on corruption charges; violent conflicts have increased in the eastern DRC; civil society has mounted increasing anti-corruption campaigns; and a major political reconfiguration is currently underway that may significantly change the shape of reforms. Meanwhile, in a bipartisan letter, the U.S. Senate highlighted the need for urgent anti-corruption and electoral reforms in the country and the International Monetary Fund is considering a significant loan to stabilize the country’s economy, pending anti-corruption reforms.
On Friday, Dec. 18, the Foreign Policy program at Brookings hosted a panel discussion examining the issues and the possible U.S. policy options to address them.
Viewers submitted questions via email to [email protected] or on Twitter using #DRCSecurity.
Agenda
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December 18
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Discussant
Tom Perriello Former U.S. Special Envoy for the African Great Lakes and Congo-Kinshasa - U.S. Department of State @tomperrielloPanelist
Michael E. O’Hanlon Director of Research - Foreign Policy, Director - Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Co-Director - Africa Security Initiative, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology, Philip H. Knight Chair in Defense and Strategy @MichaelEOHanlon
Mvemba Phezo Dizolele Director and Senior Fellow - Africa Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) @MvembaDizolele
André Wameso Ambassador at Large of the President of the DRC
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