Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–99)

Quick Facts: Who was Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–99)?

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Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–99)

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Second civil conflict in Congo (1997–1999) ending with Sassou Nguesso's return to power.

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Origins & Early Life

The Second Republic of the Congo Civil War, also known as the Second Brazzaville-Congolese Civil War, was the second of two ethnopolitical civil conflicts in the Republic of the Congo which lasted from 5 June 1997 to 29 December 1999. The war served as the continuation of the civil war of 1993–1994 and involved militias representing three political candidates. The conflict ended following the intervention of the Angolan military, which reinstated former president Denis Sassou Nguesso to power. The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) gained its independence from France in 1960, and soon entered a period of political turbulence. Following a three-day uprising in 1963, the Congo fell under the influence of scientific socialism, establishing relations with the Eastern Bloc and becoming a single-party People's Republic.

Career & Major Achievements

Two regime changes took place as the country faced a rise in ethnic tensions, with Denis Sassou Nguesso assuming presidency in 1979. In 1990, the country made its first steps towards a multiparty political system, eventually leading to the 1992 general elections. The elections concluded with Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS) candidate Pascal Lissouba winning the presidential race, Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development's (MCDDI) Bernard Kolelas coming second, and Congolese Labor Party's (PCT) Sassou Nguesso running third. Kolelas and Sassou Nguesso were dissatisfied with the outcome of the elections, and created an alliance against Lissouba. Tensions continued to rise as Kolelas, Lissouba and Sassou formed the Ninja, Cocoye, and Cobra militia respectively.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The militia drew members from their leaders' ethnic and political backgrounds: the Mbochi supported Sassou, and the Nibolek and the Lari sided with Lissouba and Kolelas respectively. Citing electoral fraud during the 1993 parliamentary elections, the Ninja and Cobra militia launched a civil war against the Cocoye. The conflict ended in December 1994, leaving 2,000 people dead and many more displaced. Despite remaining in power, Lissouba failed to fully implement the peace accords signed at the end of the war, as the country's militias retained their weapons. High unemployment rates, an atmosphere of political uncertainty, and the steady flow of firearms coming from regional conflicts contributed to the rise of the militia movement within the country.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1960: 1960 Milestone — The Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) gained its independence from France in 1960, and soon entered a period of political turbulence.
2. 1963: 1963 Milestone — Following a three-day uprising in 1963, the Congo fell under the influence of scientific socialism, establishing relations with the Eastern Bloc and becoming a single-party People's Republic.
3. 1979: 1979 Milestone — Two regime changes took place as the country faced a rise in ethnic tensions, with Denis Sassou Nguesso assuming presidency in 1979.
4. 1990: 1990 Milestone — In 1990, the country made its first steps towards a multiparty political system, eventually leading to the 1992 general elections.
5. 1993: 1993 Milestone — The war served as the continuation of the civil war of 1993–1994 and involved militias representing three political candidates.
6. 1994: 1994 Milestone — The conflict ended in December 1994, leaving 2,000 people dead and many more displaced.
7. 1997: 1997 Milestone — The Second Republic of the Congo Civil War, also known as the Second Brazzaville-Congolese Civil War, was the second of two ethnopolitical civil conflicts in the Republic of the Congo which lasted from 5 June 1997 to 29 December 1999.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Republic of the Congo Civil War (1997–99)

True or False: “The Second Republic of the Congo Civil War was solely a conflict between Lissouba and Sassou Nguesso's factions.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The conflict involved militias representing three political candidates: Cobra, Cocoye, and Ninja.

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