Democratic Republic of Congo: Challenges and Hope for Change

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This chapter provides an overview of the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting its size, population, rich mineral resources, and its history of colonization and dictatorship. It discusses how corruption, exploitation of minerals, extreme poverty, and ongoing conflict have made it one of the weakest states in the world. The chapter focuses on the upcoming elections in Congo, with all candidates promising real change but little hope among the population that it will actually happen.

After a dubious win in 2018, Felix Tshisekedi is running for office again in the Democratic Republic of Congo – and an incumbency bias could work in his favour. Is there any hope for a fair election? 2023 has brought a flurry of news on the developments of artificial intelligence, so let’s take stock (13:45). And, why New York is introducing a congestion charge (21:50).

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