Presidents of the Republic of the Congo: Defining the Moments That Shaped Our Nation

By Amphas Mampoua

From independence on August 15, 1960, to the present day, the Republic of Congo, formerly Middle Congo, has undertaken many social, economic, and political transformations due to the leadership qualities of all presidents. Despite internal and external constraints, each president has expressed the will to lead the country toward prosperity. Since independence, six presidents have ruled the country, and each is unique. Congolese expect presidents to change things and improve their living conditions, and they blame them when they fail. This feeling is natural because the people perceive the president as the father of the nation, who must satisfy their needs and give them happiness. The father of the nation is the one who does not divide the people. The job of the president is not as easy as we think. Since presidents can’t satisfy everyone, they become lightning rods at a discount, often taking the blame for phenomena beyond the control of a single person.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Apr 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781698714288

Amphas Mampoua

Mbow Amphas Mampoua is Professor of Political Science and International Relations at American University for Leaders (London). He is the author of Political Transformations of the Congo (Pentland Press, 2000) and The United States, Russia, and European Security (Dorrance Publishing, 2004). He is currently working on a book on global security. He lives in Washington DC (USA)

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© Copyright 2023 Amphas Mampoua.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-6987-1426-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6987-1427-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6987-1428-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023905907

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CONTENTS

List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

Introduction

Fulbert Youlou, the first president who established a national unity

The first government of Congo-Brazzaville in 1960

The Fall of President Fulbert Youlou

First president of the Republic of Congo (1959–1963)

Statement by President Youlou of 28 March 1961

The Fall of President Massamba-Débat

Statement by President Massamba-Debat

Second President of the Republic of Congo (1963–1968)

The Fall of President Yhombi

Fourth president of the Republic of Congo (1977–1979)

Fifth and seventh president of the Republic of Congo (1979–1992)

The Fall of President Lissouba

The sixth president of the Republic of Congo (1992–1997) was the first democratically-elected president of the Republic of Congo

Third President of the Republic of Congo (1969–1977)

Jacques Opangault

Conclusion

Appendix

Selected Bibliography

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

INTRODUCTION

From independence on August 15, 1960, to the present day, the Republic of Congo, formerly Middle Congo, has undertaken many social, economic, and political transformations due to the leadership qualities of all presidents. Despite internal and external constraints, each president has expressed the will to lead the country toward prosperity. Since independence, six presidents have ruled the country, and each is unique. Congolese expect presidents to change things and improve their living conditions, and they blame them when they fail. This feeling is natural because the people perceive the president as the father of the nation, who must satisfy their needs and give them happiness. The father of the nation is the one who does not divide the people. The job of the president is not as easy as we think. Since presidents can’t satisfy everyone, they become lightning rods at a discount, often taking the blame for phenomena beyond the control of a single person. The Republic of Congo was created to reject tribalism and to be one and indivisible. For this reason, Pres. Fulbert Youlu, the first president of Congo, saw the future of the country through national unity. Tribal or ethnic differentiations do not reflect the oppositions of the political programs of the leaders, and, therefore, they must be integrated into national unity; in other words, into a unitary state. It must be said that the unitary State brings together a single people on a territory without dissolving the uniqueness of the same people. But the people in their diversity will submit to the same and unique power. The president is referred to as the most powerful person in the country and as the commander in chief, but he can destroy the nation if he appoints the men in the structures of the state, who do not take up the problems of the people head on. Bad cadres are a brake on the management of companies This is the reason why Pres. Marien Ngouabi asked the Congolese labor party to entrust the positions of responsibility to the red cadres and experts, who are capable of serving the interests of the masses for the socialist ideal, and also capable of putting their technicality at the service of the same masses. As he was honest, the fate of the people urged him to reconcile ethics and politics with the result that the evil cadres were purged. This realization that red cadres and experts could cure all diseases diagnosed at the state level, while bad cadres could ruin the country, is the change that is not always accepted, especially since it creates winners and losers. The president’s policy must pave the way for prosperity, which is why President Massamba-Débat perceived the future of Congo through economic development to make this country rich and prosperous. The most impressive aspect of the Congolese economy under President Massamba-Débat is the speed and pace of industrialization of the country, considered the fourth in French-speaking Africa. There were large industrial units that helped Congo absorb the relative number of unemployed. It was in the insight of the light industry that a suitable development path resided for the country. The president must work for peace and stability in his country because peace is a prerequisite for development. That is why President Sassou Nguesso’s policy has focused on strengthening peace and stability in the country. The future of the country is not built by hostilities and political upheavals but by peace and stability that strengthen the inclusive and participatory relationship of democracy. The future of Congo, its peace and stability being intrinsically linked to the happiness of citizens, it will be said that President Sassou Nguesso has brought the