The Congo is very wealthy from oil money but is not paying its debts and at the same time is applying for special status at the World Bank. That's shocking and disingenuous.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
There is a need to take advantage of the change that has taken place in the Congo, however tragic that has been in its coming.
When you talk about the oil wealth you compare nations. There are some nations with less than five million people. Nigeria has 150 million people. I cannot say that all the money earned from oil since 1958, when the first drop of oil was exported from this country to date, that the money has been effectively used.
Billions of dollars are thrown at African countries.
The richest persons in Africa are heads of state, governors and ministers. So every 'educated' African who wants to be rich - and there is nothing wrong with wanting to be rich - heads straight into government or politics.
I cannot forget the place that I come from. The Congo is much in need.
Africa is rich, and why are we poor then if our continent is rich. It is not right.
Botswana is actually very peaceful. It's democratic. It never was in debt. They've been fortunate, they've had diamonds.
If there is the right opportunity for us to have a big oil play in Congo or somewhere else, we will definitely go for it.
Neither Western donor countries like the U.S. nor poor recipients like Cameroon care much about Africans who are poor, rural and female.
Africa is poor because its investors and its creditors are unspeakably rich.