Mathias Dzon
Mathias Dzon | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1947 Near Gamboma, Republic of the Congo |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Politician |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Known for | Minister of Finance of the Republic of the Congo (1997–2002); National Director for BEAC (2003–2008); President of Patriotic Union for National Renewal (UPRN) |
Mathias Dzon (born 1947) is a Congolese entrepreneur and political figure who held the position of Minister of Finance in the Republic of the Congo between 1997 and 2002. From 2003 until 2008, he served as the National Director for the Bank of Central African States (BEAC). He currently leads the Patriotic Union for National Renewal (UPRN) as its President. Dzon entered the 2009 presidential race but withdrew shortly before the election took place.
Political career
Originating from an area near Gamboma, Dzon pursued his education in France before starting his professional journey at BEAC in 1977, where he rose through the ranks to senior management. In 1985, he was appointed Director-General of the International Bank of Congo (BIDC). Although not affiliated with the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT), he co-established the UPRN in 1991 and assumed its presidency. That same year, he took part in the Sovereign National Conference and secured a seat in the National Assembly representing Gamboma. Initially maintaining neutrality, the UPRN aligned with the opposition coalition FDP alongside the PCT by 1994.
In 1995, Dzon stepped down from his role at BIDC and subsequently worked at BEAC’s Pointe-Noire branch before going into exile in Gabon and France in 1996. After Denis Sassou Nguesso regained power following the civil conflict, Dzon was appointed Minister of Finance and Budget in November 1997, a position he held until August 2002. His term was marked by accusations of embezzlement and surviving a suspected poisoning incident tied to political rivalries within the government. Despite these obstacles, he implemented measures aimed at combating corruption.
During the May 2002 parliamentary elections, Dzon sought election from Gamboma but was disqualified amid allegations of electoral malpractice; nevertheless, he was not barred from participating in future polls. After being succeeded by Roger-Rigobert Andely as Finance Minister, Dzon resumed his career at BEAC as National Director for Congo starting in May 2003.
In 2004, allegations surfaced accusing Dzon and others of misappropriating public funds and restricting their international travel; these claims were officially refuted. By 2007, UPRN had transitioned into opposition status, boycotting that year’s parliamentary elections and joining the Alliance for the Republic and Democracy (ARD) coalition. In June 2008, Dzon was selected as ARD’s candidate for the upcoming 2009 presidential election.
Prior to the July 2009 vote, Dzon advocated for postponing or boycotting the election due to concerns over flawed voter registries, arguing that voters were deprived of a legitimate choice. After departing from BEAC at the end of 2008, he continued his political engagement through ARD.
In August 2010, serving as ARD President, Dzon announced a boycott of Congo’s 50th independence anniversary events, criticizing government expenditure given ongoing widespread poverty. He characterized five decades since independence as periods dominated by failure and conflict.
In June 2014, Dzon publicly charged the government with obstructing his ability to travel abroad for medical care and family visits, threatening legal action in response. He remains politically active and has declared his candidacy for the 2021 presidential election.