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.