Radio Congo

<p><strong>Brash hustlers sinister colonels resilient refugees and intrepid radio hosts: meet the future of Congo</strong></p><p></p><p>In this extraordinary debut - called 'gripping' by <em>The Times</em> of London - Ben Rawlence sets out to gather the news from a forgotten town deep in Congo's '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.</p>