Alain Akouala Atipault

**Alain Akouala Atipault** (born 1959) be a Congolese politician who serve insyd de government of Congo-Brazzaville as Minister of Communication from 2002 to 2009. Subsequently he be Minister of Special Economic Zones from 2009 to 2015 den again from 2016 to 2017.

## Political career
Dem born Akouala Atipault insyd Brazzaville. Insyd 1995, he cam be a communications adviser to de Committee for de Privatization of State Enterprises; he sanso serve for a time as communications adviser to de National Oil Company of Congo (*Société nationale des pétroles du Congo*, SNPC). At de time of de March 2002 presidential election, na he work as spokesman for Presido Denis Sassou Nguesso ein campaign. Insyd de absence of any serious competitors, na Sassou Nguesso ein victory be viewed as a foregone conclusion. As campaign spokesman, na Akouala Atipault argue dat na de election be fair, although na he acknowledge dat der be sam "minor problems" insyd de process. After de election, na Akouala Atipault be appointed to de government as Minister of Communication and Relations plus Parliament, as well as Government Spokesman, on 18 August 2002. Na he derisively dub "the minister of denial" by opposition media.

Insyd response to "misconceptions" insyd *The Washington Times*, na Akouala Atipault wrep a commentary piece for dat paper wey na dem publish on 11 June 2006. He defend President Sassou Nguesso den de government ein policies, wey dey argue dat na Congo-Brazzaville be heavily burdened by debt den badly need debt relief.

Akouala Atipault be de National President of Citizen Force, a political association, as of 2007. Insyd de June–August 2007 parliamentary election, he stand as a candidate insyd de second constituency of Gamboma, but he be defeated by Guy Timothée Ngantsio Gambou. He appeal to de Constitutional Court, but ein appeal be rejected.

During di campaign for di 12 July 2009 presidential election for Congo-Brazzaville, Alain Akouala Atipault play important role as head of foreign relations for President Denis Sassou Nguesso ein campaign team.

Even though di election no get strong opposition—because many opponents boycott or dem disqualify dem—Akouala Atipault defend di process. He dismiss opposition claims of fraud as "incorrect" den argue say 170 international observers wey dey present prove say di election fair. He sana call di opposition’s claim say voter turnout na just 10% as "ludicrous."

After Sassou Nguesso win again, dem reshuffle di cabinet on 15 September 2009, den Akouala Atipault get new position as Minister at di Presidency for Special Economic Zones.

One major controversy come insyd October 2009, when a book wey contain supposed foreword by Nelson Mandela come out. Mandela’s foundation deny say Mandela read or approve di book. In response, Akouala Atipault defend Sassou Nguesso sharp. He talk say "Mandela no even belong to himself. He belong to we." He even suggest legal action against di Nelson Mandela Foundation, call dem “a commercial concern” wey represent “savage capitalism den international finance.”

As Minister for Special Economic Zones, Akouala Atipault be responsible for de implementation of four special economic zones at Ouesso, Oyo–Ollombo, Brazzaville, den Pointe-Noire. He dey visit Mauritius for a week insyd late 2013, den insyd a subsequent interview he discuss de importance of developing a partnership between de two countries den learning from de economic experience of Mauritius. He sana discussed de need to diversify Congo-Brazzaville ein economy beyond ein reliance on oil through de development of de special economic zones.

Akouala Atipault tok say make dem change de constitution during one meeting wey dem do for Brazzaville on 10 June 2015. Di ruling Congolese Labour Party wey he dey represent talk say di change go help make governance better, but opposition see am say na just trick to give Sassou Nguesso another term. 

Later on 10 August 2015, dem komot Akouala Atipault from government, say make he go replace Henri Lopes wey dey retire as Ambassador to France. Later, dem still add am plus Sassou Nguesso ein campaign team for March 2016 election, make he lead de electoral operations. After Sassou Nguesso win di election, dem reappoint Akouala Atipault as Minister of Special Economic Zones on 30 April 2016.

Akouala Atipault be dismissed from de government on 22 August 2017, den Gilbert Mokoki be appointed to succeed him as Minister of Special Economic Zones.

## References