Radio Congo: Signals of Hope from Africa's Deadliest War

(Paperback)

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In this extraordinary debut called gripping by The Times of London Ben Rawlence sets out to gather the news from a forgotten town deep in Congos silent quarter where peace is finally being built after two decades of civil war and devastation. Ignoring the advice of locals, reporters, and mercenaries, he travels by foot, bike, and boat, introducing us to Colonel Ibrahim, a guerrilla turned army officer; Benjamin, the kindly father of the most terrifying Mai Mai warlord; the cousins Mohammed and Mohammed, young tin traders hoping to make their fortune; and talk show host Mama Christine, who dispenses counsel and courage in equal measure. From the blood cheese of Goma to the decaying city of Manono, Rawlence uncovers the real stories of life during the war and finds hope for the future.

Reviews

"A compelling debut."

"Rawlence gets under Congo's skin He makes a self-effacing guide with a necessary sense of the ridiculous, an eye for the telling detail and a talent for evocative description. But it is his closeness to the Congolese that really stands out."

Author Bio

Ben Rawlence is a senior researcher on Africa for Human Rights Watch. He has written for the Guardian, Prospect, London Review of Books, and others and contributed to Radio 4. This is his first book. He lives in London.