53 Years Later: A Look at Congo Since Independence
Decades of conflict crippled this resource-rich nation.
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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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