53 Years Later: A Look at Congo Since Independence

Decades of conflict crippled this resource-rich nation.

Socialism Sets Sail - As Youlou’s successor, President Massamba-Debat appointed Pascal Lissouba as prime minister, established the National Revolutionary Movement and adopted a socialist route to economic development. He was ousted in 1968 in a coup headed by another Socialist, Marien Ngouabi.(Photos: Wikimedia Commons; ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images)
Three Congolese Heads of State - Ngouabi set up a new party called Congolese Workers Party (PCT), declaring the country Marxist People’s Republic. In 1977, he was assassinated. Former President Massamba Debat was killed shortly afterward. Joachim Yhombi-Opango would rule for two years before relinquishing the presidency to the PCT. Denis Sassou Nguesso was chosen as his successor in 1979.(Photos: Wikimedia Commons [2]; Xinhua/Landov)
An Anti-Capitalist Congo - Led by Sassou Nguesso, Congo signed a 20-year pact of friendship and cooperation with the Soviet Union, aligning the country with the Eastern Bloc. Nine years later, PCT, the Congo’s sole legitimate party, abandoned Marxism.(Photo: Nikolay Doychinov/Landov)
Democracy Prevails - The country’s democratic progress appeared to get back on track in 1992, with voters approving a constitution that reinstated a multi-party structure. Former Prime Minister Pascal Lissouba becomes president in the first democratic election.(Photo: STR New/Reuters)Bloodshed in Brazzaville - Contested parliamentary elections led to a year of bloody fighting between government and opposition forces. A ceasefire was reached, which resulted in the opposition receiving government positions. Yet, nearly two years later, a full-scale civil war erupted. President Lissouba was forced to flee when pro-Sassou Nguesso forces seized the capital, Brazzaville.(Photo: Corinne Dufka/Landov)

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Three Congolese Heads of State - Ngouabi set up a new party called Congolese Workers Party (PCT), declaring the country Marxist People’s Republic. In 1977, he was assassinated. Former President Massamba Debat was killed shortly afterward. Joachim Yhombi-Opango would rule for two years before relinquishing the presidency to the PCT. Denis Sassou Nguesso was chosen as his successor in 1979.(Photos: Wikimedia Commons [2]; Xinhua/Landov)

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