Hellot Matson Mampouya
Encyclopedia
Hellot Matson Mampouya is a Congolese
politician. A member of the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
(MCDDI), Mampouya served in the government of Congo-Brazzaville as Minister of Scientific Research from 2007 to 2009 and he has been Minister of Fishing since 2009.
in Kinshasa
in February 1964. He and other nationals of Congo-Brazzaville were expelled from Congo-Kinshasa
by its Prime Minister, Moise Tshombé
, in July 1964. Thus he grew up in Congo-Brazzaville and attended the Marien Ngouabi University
, receiving a law degree in 1992.
(URD), an opposition coalition, on 27 August 1992; the MCDDI was the leading participant in the coalition, and Mampouya was designated as Spokesman of the URD Youth.
In October 1995, Mampouya was included in the MCDDI's National Executive Bureau. He was also designated as Spokesman of the MCDDI and was placed in charge of the party's communications department, with responsibility for mobilization. During the same period, MCDDI President Bernard Kolélas
was Mayor of Brazzaville
, and Mampouya was his communications attaché.
Under serious pressure as a result of the 1997 civil war, President Pascal Lissouba
appointed Kolélas, his old rival, as Prime Minister at the head of a national unity government
in September 1997. Mampouya was then appointed as Kolélas' Political Adviser and Spokesman. Lissouba's attempt to secure his position through the formation of a national unity government was unsuccessful, however: the rebel forces loyal to Denis Sassou Nguesso
captured Brazzaville in mid-October 1997, and Mampouya, who had a firm personal loyalty to Kolélas, fled into exile along with the MCDDI President on 14 October 1997.
In May 2000, a Congolese court sentenced Kolélas to death in absentia
for war crimes. He was eventually allowed to return from exile to attend the funeral of his wife in October 2005; Sassou Nguesso granted Kolélas a special amnesty for the occasion on humanitarian grounds, enabling him to visit. The National Assembly unanimously adopted a law granting a full amnesty to Kolélas on 23 November 2005, thereby enabling him to resume his place in the nation's political life.
, the Minister of Territorial Administration, to discuss preparations for the 2007 parliamentary election
, along with representatives from various other parties.
The MCDDI signed an electoral alliance with President Sassou Nguesso's party, the Congolese Labour Party (PCT), on 23 April 2007. At the signing ceremony, Mampouya read aloud the terms of the agreement just before it was signed by Kolélas and PCT Secretary-General Ambroise Noumazalay.
In the June 2007 parliamentary election, Mampouya was the MCDDI candidate for the fourth constituency of Makélékélé, a district of Brazzaville. While campaigning, he called on the people to "give the PCT and MCDDI a majority that will enable them to govern the country together". In his constituency, he received 29.79% of the vote in the first round, slightly behind the former warlord and independent candidate Willy Matsanga
, who received 30.65% of the vote. Since neither of them obtained a first round majority, the two proceeded to a second round in August 2007.
During his campaign for the second round, Mampouya vowed that, if elected, he would work energetically to solve his constituency's problems. He particularly focused on the problem of youth unemployment, promising to provide training programs for young people. Mampouya also said that he would work to improve the quality of education for children and provide resources to introduce children to new computer technology. The PCT supported Mampouya in the second round, and Mampouya praised the PCT's commitment to the alliance; he said that the PCT's efforts constituted "a model" for cooperation between the two parties and expressed optimism regarding the future of the alliance. Nevertheless, Matsanga defeated Mampouya in the second round, receiving 56.74% of the vote.
Despite his defeat in Makélékélé, Mampouya was appointed to the government as Minister of Scientific Research and Technical Innovation on 30 December 2007; along with Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas
(Bernard Kolélas' son), he was one of two MCDDI members to be appointed to the government. Reacting to the appointment, Mampouya described it as "the most important of my entire political career" and thanked Sassou Nguesso. He took over from Pierre-Ernest Abandzounou
at the ministry in January 2008. Mampouya then made visits to a large number of research centers in Pointe-Noire
and Brazzaville in early February, meeting with the researchers and reviewing their work, as well as their working conditions.
The MCDDI held its First Convention on 24–25 May 2008 in Brazzaville. The meeting was notable for designating Brice Parfait Kolélas as the Coordinator of the MCDDI National Executive Bureau and National Secretary in charge of Development Strategies, effectively making him the MCDDI's de facto leader in light of Bernard Kolélas' advanced age and failing health. Mampouya delivered the closing speech at the convention on behalf of Bernard Kolélas, who was present but chose not to give the speech himself.
As an ally of the PCT, the MCDDI supported Sassou Nguesso's bid for re-election in the July 2009 presidential election
and Mampouya worked on his campaign. In his capacity as Interim Spokesman of the Government, Mampouya read a statement on 3 July 2009 that constituted a warning to the opposition. In the statement, he criticized some opposition leaders for resorting to "bellicose, seditious, dangerous, and misleading" rhetoric that could threaten the prevailing "climate of peace", and he warned them against any actions disturbing public order. However, he also expressed confidence that the election would be conducted "in peace and quiet".
At a rally in Brazzaville on 7 July 2009, Mampouya argued that Sassou Nguesso had concentrated on developing infrastructure during his previous seven years in office and that the infrastructure would facilitate future industrialization. He called on the people to vote for Sassou Nguesso in overwhelming numbers and warned them to be vigilant with regard to "troublemakers". After winning re-election, Sassou Nguesso moved Mampouya to the post of Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture on 15 September 2009.
Bernard Kolélas died on 13 November 2009. Following his death, Mampouya, as Spokesman of the MCDDI, expressed the commitment of all party members to continuing in his footsteps. Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas and Bernard Tchibambélela
were considered the main potential successors to Kolélas, while Mampouya reportedly played a "balancing" role between the two sides.
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
politician. A member of the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
The Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development is a political party in the Republic of the Congo, led by Bernard Kolélas....
(MCDDI), Mampouya served in the government of Congo-Brazzaville as Minister of Scientific Research from 2007 to 2009 and he has been Minister of Fishing since 2009.
Early life and education
Mampouya was born across the Congo RiverCongo River
The Congo River is a river in Africa, and is the deepest river in the world, with measured depths in excess of . It is the second largest river in the world by volume of water discharged, though it has only one-fifth the volume of the world's largest river, the Amazon...
in Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....
in February 1964. He and other nationals of Congo-Brazzaville were expelled from Congo-Kinshasa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
by its Prime Minister, Moise Tshombé
Moise Tshombe
Moïse Kapenda Tshombe was a Congolese politician.- Biography :He was the son of a successful Congolese businessman and was born in Musumba, Congo. He received his education from an American missionary school and later trained as an accountant...
, in July 1964. Thus he grew up in Congo-Brazzaville and attended the Marien Ngouabi University
Marien Ngouabi University
Marien Ngouabi University is the only state-funded university in the Republic of Congo. It is located in the capital of Brazzaville.-History:...
, receiving a law degree in 1992.
Political career
An early member of the MCDDI, Mampouya co-founded the MCDDI Youth in 1991, acting as its Secretary for Foreign Relations. Together with six other parties, the MCDDI formed the Union for Democratic RenewalUnion for Democratic Renewal
Union for Democratic Renewal is the name of two national political parties:* Union for Democratic Renewal * Union for Democratic Renewal...
(URD), an opposition coalition, on 27 August 1992; the MCDDI was the leading participant in the coalition, and Mampouya was designated as Spokesman of the URD Youth.
In October 1995, Mampouya was included in the MCDDI's National Executive Bureau. He was also designated as Spokesman of the MCDDI and was placed in charge of the party's communications department, with responsibility for mobilization. During the same period, MCDDI President Bernard Kolélas
Bernard Kolélas
Bernard Bakana Kolélas was a Congolese politician and President of the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development...
was Mayor of Brazzaville
Brazzaville
-Transport:The city is home to Maya-Maya Airport and a railway station on the Congo-Ocean Railway. It is also an important river port, with ferries sailing to Kinshasa and to Bangui via Impfondo...
, and Mampouya was his communications attaché.
Under serious pressure as a result of the 1997 civil war, President Pascal Lissouba
Pascal Lissouba
Pascal Lissouba was the first democratically elected President of the Republic of the Congo from August 31, 1992 to October 15, 1997. He was overthrown by the current President Denis Sassou Nguesso in the 1997 civil war....
appointed Kolélas, his old rival, as Prime Minister at the head of a national unity government
National unity government
A national unity government, government of national unity, or national union government is a broad coalition government consisting of all parties in the legislature, usually formed during a time of war or other national emergency.- Canada :During World War I the Conservative government of Sir...
in September 1997. Mampouya was then appointed as Kolélas' Political Adviser and Spokesman. Lissouba's attempt to secure his position through the formation of a national unity government was unsuccessful, however: the rebel forces loyal to Denis Sassou Nguesso
Denis Sassou Nguesso
Denis Sassou Nguesso is a Congolese politician who has been the President of Congo-Brazzaville since 1997; he was previously President from 1979 to 1992. During his first period as President, he headed the single-party regime of the Congolese Labour Party for 12 years...
captured Brazzaville in mid-October 1997, and Mampouya, who had a firm personal loyalty to Kolélas, fled into exile along with the MCDDI President on 14 October 1997.
In May 2000, a Congolese court sentenced Kolélas to death in absentia
In absentia
In absentia is Latin for "in the absence". In legal use, it usually means a trial at which the defendant is not physically present. The phrase is not ordinarily a mere observation, but suggests recognition of violation to a defendant's right to be present in court proceedings in a criminal trial.In...
for war crimes. He was eventually allowed to return from exile to attend the funeral of his wife in October 2005; Sassou Nguesso granted Kolélas a special amnesty for the occasion on humanitarian grounds, enabling him to visit. The National Assembly unanimously adopted a law granting a full amnesty to Kolélas on 23 November 2005, thereby enabling him to resume his place in the nation's political life.
Government service
In mid-January 2007, Mampouya—acting as the representative of the MCDDI—met with François IboviFrançois Ibovi
François Ibovi is Congolese politician. He served in the government of Congo-Brazzaville as Minister of Communication from 1997 to 2002 and as Minister of Territorial Administration from 2002 to 2007...
, the Minister of Territorial Administration, to discuss preparations for the 2007 parliamentary election
Republic of the Congo parliamentary election, 2007
A parliamentary election was held in the Republic of the Congo on 24 June 2007, with a second round initially planned for 22 July 2007, but then postponed to 5 August 2007. According to the National Commission of the Organization of the Elections , 1,807 candidates stood in the first round for 137...
, along with representatives from various other parties.
The MCDDI signed an electoral alliance with President Sassou Nguesso's party, the Congolese Labour Party (PCT), on 23 April 2007. At the signing ceremony, Mampouya read aloud the terms of the agreement just before it was signed by Kolélas and PCT Secretary-General Ambroise Noumazalay.
In the June 2007 parliamentary election, Mampouya was the MCDDI candidate for the fourth constituency of Makélékélé, a district of Brazzaville. While campaigning, he called on the people to "give the PCT and MCDDI a majority that will enable them to govern the country together". In his constituency, he received 29.79% of the vote in the first round, slightly behind the former warlord and independent candidate Willy Matsanga
Willy Matsanga
Anicet Wilfrid Pandou, commonly known as Willy Matsanga, is a Congolese politician. He was a militia leader during the tumultuous events of the 1990s and has been a Deputy in the National Assembly of the Republic of the Congo since 2007.-Militia leader:...
, who received 30.65% of the vote. Since neither of them obtained a first round majority, the two proceeded to a second round in August 2007.
During his campaign for the second round, Mampouya vowed that, if elected, he would work energetically to solve his constituency's problems. He particularly focused on the problem of youth unemployment, promising to provide training programs for young people. Mampouya also said that he would work to improve the quality of education for children and provide resources to introduce children to new computer technology. The PCT supported Mampouya in the second round, and Mampouya praised the PCT's commitment to the alliance; he said that the PCT's efforts constituted "a model" for cooperation between the two parties and expressed optimism regarding the future of the alliance. Nevertheless, Matsanga defeated Mampouya in the second round, receiving 56.74% of the vote.
Despite his defeat in Makélékélé, Mampouya was appointed to the government as Minister of Scientific Research and Technical Innovation on 30 December 2007; along with Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas
Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas
Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas is a Congolese politician. The son of Bernard Kolélas, he was Minister of Marine and Inland Fishing, in charge of Aquaculture, from 2007 to 2009, and he has been Minister of the Civil Service, in charge of State Reform, since 2009...
(Bernard Kolélas' son), he was one of two MCDDI members to be appointed to the government. Reacting to the appointment, Mampouya described it as "the most important of my entire political career" and thanked Sassou Nguesso. He took over from Pierre-Ernest Abandzounou
Pierre-Ernest Abandzounou
Pierre-Ernest Abandzounou is a Congolese politician. He served in the government of Congo-Brazzaville as Secretary of State for Scientific Research from August 2002 to January 2005 and then as Minister of Scientific Research from January 2005 to December 2007...
at the ministry in January 2008. Mampouya then made visits to a large number of research centers in Pointe-Noire
Pointe-Noire
Pointe-Noire is the second largest city in the Republic of the Congo, following the capital of Brazzaville, and an autonomous department since 2004. Before this date it was the capital of the Kouilou region . It is situated on a headland between Pointe-Noire Bay and the Atlantic Ocean...
and Brazzaville in early February, meeting with the researchers and reviewing their work, as well as their working conditions.
The MCDDI held its First Convention on 24–25 May 2008 in Brazzaville. The meeting was notable for designating Brice Parfait Kolélas as the Coordinator of the MCDDI National Executive Bureau and National Secretary in charge of Development Strategies, effectively making him the MCDDI's de facto leader in light of Bernard Kolélas' advanced age and failing health. Mampouya delivered the closing speech at the convention on behalf of Bernard Kolélas, who was present but chose not to give the speech himself.
As an ally of the PCT, the MCDDI supported Sassou Nguesso's bid for re-election in the July 2009 presidential election
Republic of the Congo presidential election, 2009
A presidential election was held in the Republic of the Congo on 12 July 2009. Long-time President Denis Sassou Nguesso won another seven-year term with a large majority of the vote, but the election was marked by accusations of irregularities and fraud from the opposition; six opposition...
and Mampouya worked on his campaign. In his capacity as Interim Spokesman of the Government, Mampouya read a statement on 3 July 2009 that constituted a warning to the opposition. In the statement, he criticized some opposition leaders for resorting to "bellicose, seditious, dangerous, and misleading" rhetoric that could threaten the prevailing "climate of peace", and he warned them against any actions disturbing public order. However, he also expressed confidence that the election would be conducted "in peace and quiet".
At a rally in Brazzaville on 7 July 2009, Mampouya argued that Sassou Nguesso had concentrated on developing infrastructure during his previous seven years in office and that the infrastructure would facilitate future industrialization. He called on the people to vote for Sassou Nguesso in overwhelming numbers and warned them to be vigilant with regard to "troublemakers". After winning re-election, Sassou Nguesso moved Mampouya to the post of Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture on 15 September 2009.
Bernard Kolélas died on 13 November 2009. Following his death, Mampouya, as Spokesman of the MCDDI, expressed the commitment of all party members to continuing in his footsteps. Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas and Bernard Tchibambélela
Bernard Tchibambelela
Bernard Tchibambelela is a Congolese politician. He is a member of the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development and has been the Second Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of the Congo since 2007....
were considered the main potential successors to Kolélas, while Mampouya reportedly played a "balancing" role between the two sides.