The March 2025 edition of the IRMO Brief, authored by Raoul Nkassa and Ignace Lokouako, deals with the Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Brazzaville, and its complex geographical location in Central Africa. The country’s position at the heart of Africa and its relations with neighboring countries, in particular the Democratic Republic of Congo, are crucial to sub-regional and regional equilibrium. Natural resources, including oil, gas, timber and copper, make Congo an important player on the international economic scene, attracting the attention and investment of major powers. Congo is also a member of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa, the African Union, and the Economic Community of Central African States. The authors also analyze how the rebellion led by the Congolese paramilitary M23 group in eastern DRC affects the relations between the two Congos.
