The poor results of JOÃO LOURENÇO's (JL) mediation aimed at finding a solution to the conflict in the Great Lakes are also not in his favour in Africa. The failure is blamed on a ‘lack of neutrality’ with which he has handled the dossier (more in favour of DR Congo than Rwanda). In countries now governed by forces previously in opposition, the intransigence with which it treats its internal adversaries also harms him.
The intense internal exploitation usually given to JL's apparent external successes is seen as part of a policy designed to help him recover from his high rates of internal unpopularity. The induction of the idea that JL is a figure with external acceptance and prestige, intended by such a policy, aims to compensate for his poor internal acceptance and divert attention from problems that could embarrass him. READ MORE