The Four Musketeers

IThey all claim to succeed Denis Sassou N’Guesso, not through elections, primaries within the PCT and presidential elections nationwide, but through the dynastic route!

In 1885, Bonnelle, the French colonial administrator stationed in Alimapombo below Congo-Brazzaville, published a study on the Mbozi people.

This small ethnic group occupied part of what is now Kuvet Province and was the ethnic group to which Denis Sassou Nguesso, Congo’s president for more than four decades, belonged.

Despite their small population, the Mbochi wield a disproportionate amount of power.

In his report, Bonnell described Mbozi as ” The wildest people I have ever seen. Cunning and lies are nothing, they use them to their advantage… ».

Mbozi Politics and Sassou Nguesso Power

Today, Bonnell’s observations seem to find disturbing resonance in the behavior of contemporary political executives, particularly that of the Congolese Labour Party (PCT) led by Denis Sassou Nguesso.

Sassou Nguesso, who has been in power for decades, has often been accused of using subterfuge and lies to manipulate the constitution and rig elections.

These are not just isolated accusations; they are reflected in an ongoing power struggle among members of his own family.

Denis Sassou Nguesso transformed the republic since 1958 into a quasi-monarchy.

His son and nephew are fighting for the right to the throne, thus violating democratic principles and PCT regulations.

Among the contenders for succession we find: his son Christel Denis Sassou Nguesso, Minister of International Cooperation and Promotion of Public-Private Partnerships, nephew: Jean-Jacques Bouya, Minister of State for Land Use Planning, Infrastructure and Road Maintenance; Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua, Minister of Hydrocarbons; Maixent Raoul Ominga, General Manager of the Congolese National Oil Company (Snpc).

Today, the four musketeers in power watch each other like pottery dogs, ready to show their claws at the first opportunity, especially with the death of Denis Sassou N’Guesso. Moreover, each of them is said to have a steady loyalty and dedication to their cause.

In addition, some populists hope to take advantage of the tensions caused by the contract between Congo and Rwanda to stand up and leave the Sassou ship, thus joining the Congolese people in their search for change.

Will they be welcomed with open arms and treated as prodigals upon their return to the Republic, despite their financial crimes?

This internal power struggle, which openly disregarded the laws of the Republic and the party constitution, seemed to confirm Bonnell’s observation.

However, Bonell’s generalisations do not do justice to the complexity of Mbozi culture.

Mbozi’s diversity and contributions

It would be unfair to reduce Mbochi’s identity to this caricature.

As in any society, the Mbochi include those with important values ​​and others who are less scrupulous.

Jacques Napoléon Opangault, for example, has become a symbol of national unity, although his legacy is often glossed over and his grave in Boundji neglected.

Identity to be preserved

The controversy surrounding the Mbozi and Sassou Nguesso families highlights the concept of power in the Republic of Congo.

It raises the question of how a small nation could maintain power for more than four decades, thereby flouting the laws of the Republic.

All of Sassou N’Guesso’s predecessors also had children and nephews, but none of them ever considered passing power to their sons or nephews.

We invite the Mbochi to find a balance between preserving their cultural heritage and respecting the laws of the Republic, while assuring them that, despite their concerns about their future, they will always be part of the Republic.

Congolese people are tired of selling land in Rwanda and do not want to agree with Bonnell, who describes Mbozi as a ” The wildest people I have ever seen. Cunning and lies are nothing, they use them to their advantage… »

Serge Armand Zanzara, Journalist and writer