Gregoire Nakobomayo, a petty criminal, has decided to kill his girlfriend Germaine. Hes planned the crime for some time, but still, the act of murder requires a bit of psychological and logistical preparation. Luckily, he has a mentor to call on, the far more accomplished serial killer Angoualima. The fact that Angoualima is dead doesnt prevent Gregoire from holding lengthy conversations with him. Little by little, Gregoire interweaves Angoualima's life and criminal exploits with his own. Translated from the French by Christine Schwartz Hartley. 164pp, UK. SERPENT'S TAIL.

Two years of efforts to put together a new band have been crowned by this new album recorded in Brazzaville. On it, Zao pins a new insect into his collection: Mouche (Fly); we laugh at his jokes: Elle a deux diables (She Has Two Devils) and Ze taime (I Love You); and his decisive eloquence shines through in his burlesque portrayals of Congolese society: Virginité (Virginity), Mon Enfant (My Child) and Laiguille (The Needle). ‘I don’t know where my songs come from. My brain works and I write, says Zao. I only sing the truth. I’m the product of a society that shapes me, and I draw my inspiration from events. While things that go wrong must be condemned, I don’t want to smear anyone, only to leave marks.’ 12 tracks, FRANCE. LUSAFRICA.

A volume in the Marxist Regimes Series, providing a brief introduction to the different histories and development of three countries, Benin, the Congo and Burkina Faso, former French colonies which have moved politically to the left. Index, bib, tables, maps, 300pp, UK. 086187482X

Unique portrait of a country long ignored by the rest of the world. This first-person account, based on original research and interviews, tells the story of militiamen who are led by a dreadlocked reincarnation of Christ, of exorcisms and sorcery, of pygmies who are owned by their masters, of timber companies exploiting the rain forest, and of the wars that have been caused by oil. 2Index, notes, bib, chrono, maps, col photos, 238pp, UK. FRANCES LINCOLN.

Investigates the role of chiefs under the French from 1896 to 1960: how were they chosen and promoted ? How did they relate to those they ruled ? Did they collaborate with the French or were they partly in conflict with the colonial power? BNS, in French, 140pp, FRANCE. L' HARMATTAN, 2747504212

Nine essays describe the work of Medecins sans Frontierres in the midst of civil conflicts: 1998-2000, in Congo Brazzaville. Maps, chronology, notes, in French, 176pp, FRANCE. KARTHALA, 2845862067

Investigates recreational activities: football, fashion, music, dance, and night life, and discusses how they promoted the development of new cultural values and traditions in Brazzaville during the colonial occupation. BNS, maps, tables, illus, 295pp, UK. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS, 0521524466

A sociological history of the central African country from its first elections in 1946 to the political strife of the early 1990s. In French. Maps, notes, bib, 459pp, FRANCE. KARTHALA, 2865377393

Gives an account of meetings held with government authorities, civil society organizations, indigenous communities and other stakeholders, it describes the situation of the indigenous populations in the Republic of Congo and it makes recommendations to the Congolese government, civil society organizations and the international community. IN ENGLISH & FRENCH. 79pp, DENMARK. IWGIA.

Eight short stories piecing together a perceptive view of a post-colonial African nation. 86pp, UK. HEINEMANN AFRICAN WRITERS SERIES.