Hitherto cautious about bringing his family into the political inner circle, President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is now overseeing the gradual introduction of his offspring as his regime further consolidates its 14-year hold on power.

President Ali Bongo Ondimba came into power in September 2009 promising to revitalise the country and diversify the economy. When results have not come fast enough, for example in housing in mid-2011, he sacked an entire ministry.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo's regime is again looking at reforms that would make the government more accountable and the regime more transparent.

Having won the 9 October elections with 78 percent of the vote, Cameroon's long-serving President Paul Biya will have to juggle restless socio-political forces for the next seven years to remain president during what most believe will be his last term. He be 85 years old when his present mandate ends in 2018. 

The government held disputed presidential elections in January 2011 and signed peace deals with two of the country's leading rebel groups in June, but instability remains.

Strongman Idriss Déby Itno was re-elected for a fourth term in the first round of presidential elections on 24 April. He gained 83.6 percent of the vote in polls that were boycotted by the main opposition leaders.

The crucial test for the year ahead is whether the country's political leaders accept the results of the presidential and legislative elections planned for 28 November 2011.

Burnt by dependence on oil
International investors are still willing to spend large sums for access to Equatorial Guinea’s oil and gas, and the government plans to expand its refining and natural-gas processing capacities.

Signs of change
President Bongo Ondimba promised a revolution in governance and has tried to fight mismanagement in the civil service, but strikes and corruption are proving to be strong obstacles.

Separating conflict from resources
The 2011 elections are likely to be the last chance for 78-year-old Etienne Tshisekedi as the opposition looks to leaders of a new generation to provide a challenge to President Joseph Kabila.

Co-opting the opposition
President Sassou-Nguesso’s policy of using oil money to woo the opposition has been so successful that he is the only politician of national standing left in the country.

The opacity of oil
A tenuous reconciliation with Khartoum means N’Djamena has less to fear from rebels in eastern Chad but President Déby has gained leverage from the threat posed by Al-Qaeda.

Holding the country together
The 2011 national elections could bring more stability, but the state’s inability to ensure security within its borders means that the threat posed by a handful of rebel groups will continue.

Structural imbalance
President Biya is assured of another victory in 2011 polls, where he will face the same divided and ineffectual opposition that has challenged his regime since the early 1990s. 

Waiting for good oil news
Voters have failed to give a strong mandate to any political party, meaning that unstable parliamentary coalitions continue as politicians hope for new finds of oil and gas.