The 50th anniversary of the independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo offers an occasion to review the successes and failures of this African giant.

This Analysis assesses whether, 50 years after its independence, the DRC is still marred in its post-conflict situation or whether it is ready o become an emerging regional power. The economic and political fate of the DRC has important regional and continental consequences, and external powers (such as Italy) should look at the vicissitudes of the DRC with these consequences in mind.