The Republic of Congo also known as Congo-Brazzaville, the Congo Republic is a country located on the western coast of Central Africa to the West of the Congo River. The Republic of Congo was established on Nov. 28, 1958 and gained independence from French colonial rule on August 15, 1960.
Initially named the French Congo it became the Republic of the Congo upon independence. After independence, Fulbert Youlou became the country’s first president. His rule was characterized by political and economic difficulties, leading to his ousting in a 1963 coup.
Alphonse Massamba-Debat then assumed power, but his presidency was also short-lived, and in 1968, Marien Ngouabi seized control during a coup. Ngouabi’s regime faced internal challenges, and was assassinated in 1977.
In 1979, Colonel Joachim Yhombi-Opango briefly took charge until Denis Sassou Nguesso assumed power. His regime was filled with periods of instability and civil war.
The country has had multi-party elections since 1992, but a democratically elected government was ousted in the 1997 Republic of the Congo Civil War. In 2002, Sassou Nguesso won the presidential election with almost 90% of the vote cast.
A newly drafted constitution extended Sassou’s term in office to 7 years and introduced a new bicameral assembly. Sassou won the next election in July 2009. He announced his intention for the third term in 2015 and a constitutional referendum in October resulted in a changed constitution that allowed him run during the 2016 presidential election.
The Republic of the Congo continues to navigate issues in government for stability and progress.
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