Daniel Abibi

Daniel Abibi (born 1942^[1]) is a Republic of the Congo politician, mathematician and diplomat. He obtained his doctorate in mathematics in 1970 from the University of Grenoble in France. Abibi was amongst the first Central Africans to receive doctoral degrees in Mathematics.^[2] Abibi was one of the Northern political activists educated in France that ensured support for Marien Ngouabi in the Congolese Students Association (AEC) in 1972.^[1] The rapprochement between AEC and the regime was, however, fiercely rejected by cadres of the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT). The PCT cadres kidnapped Abibi, forcing Ngouabi to order his release.^[3]

Politically, Abibi espoused a Marxist ideological line that was heavily influenced by radical African nationalism.^[4] He served as rector of the Marien Ngouabi University. Becoming a confidant of Denis Sassou Nguesso (espousing an ideological line to the liking of Sassou and having married a relative of Sassou) Abibi was named Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications in 1983, replacing captain Florent Ntsiba.^[4][5] In 1984 Abibi was included in the Central Committee of the PCT. He was put in-charge of the international relations of the party.^[1] In the same year he was appointed Minister for Secondary and Higher Education, after having served as Minister of Information, Posts and Telecommunications for a period.^[5] He lost his cabinet seat in a December 1986 reshuffle.^[6]

Abibi chaired the Congolese Anti-Apartheid Committee, and in 1989 he was named chairman of the African Anti-Apartheid Committee.^[7] In the same year he was included in the party Politburo,^[1] in charge of Education, Ideology and Political and Civic Training.^[8]

In the 1990s he joined the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy of Pascal Lissouba.^[1] He also served as Permanent Representative of the Congo to the United Nations during this decade.^[9][10]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Bazenguissa-Ganga, Rémy. Les voies du politique au Congo: essai de sociologie historique. Paris: Karthala, 1997. p. 425
2. ^ Gerdes, Paulus. African Doctorates in Mathematics: A Catalogue. Maputo, Mozambique: Research Centre for Mathematics, Culture and Education, 2007. pp. 20, 80
3. ^ Bazenguissa-Ganga, Rémy. Les voies du politique au Congo: essai de sociologie historique. Paris: Karthala, 1997. p. 220
4. ^ ^{a b} Bazenguissa-Ganga, Rémy. Les voies du politique au Congo: essai de sociologie historique. Paris: Karthala, 1997. p. 276
5. ^ ^{a b} New York Times. AROUND THE WORLD; Congo Shuffles Cabinet After Politburo Meeting
6. ^ Africa Contemporary Record; Annual Survey and Documents. London: Africa Research Limited, 1988. p. B-198
7. ^ Africa Research, Ltd. Africa Research Bulletin. Political Series. Exeter, England: Africa Research Ltd, 1989. p. 9135
8. ^ Bazenguissa-Ganga, Rémy. Les voies du politique au Congo: essai de sociologie historique. Paris: Karthala, 1997. p. 295
9. ^ Hellenic Resources Network. United Nations Daily Highlights, 97-10-14
10. ^ United Nations General Assembly. Forty-ninth session

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Name	Abibi, Daniel
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Date of birth	1942
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