14 service was a high-level delegation sent by the Republic of Congo’s president, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, whose autocratic and repressive government Mr.... That required both literary boldness and, at times, personal acquiescence, said Mr.... 2 at a hospital in the Paris suburb of Suresnes at 86. Advertisement Story continues below advertisement He offered unsparing critiques of post-colonial Africa in books including “ Le Pleurer-Rire ” in 1982( published in English as “ The Laughing Cry ”)....