Congo-Brazzaville - 1997 - Coup
The Sassou-Nguesso Government came to power by force of arms in 1997 with the help of the armed forces of Angola. The Republic of Congo's transition to democratic government ended in October, when the country's first democratically elected president, Pascal Lissouba was ousted by the former (1979-91) military strongman and president Denis Sassou-Nguesso Lissouba was elected in 1992 after 28 years of one-party rule, and elections for a multiparty legislature were held in 1993. However, on June 5 violent clashes broke out when government troops surrounded Sassou-Nguesso's Brazzaville home, in what appeared to be an attempt to eliminate his political faction. The Government claimed that the action was a police operation aimed at arresting criminal suspects.
The violence evolved into a civil war in the capital. There were also clashes in the north, including the cities of Impfondo, Ouesso, Owando, and, briefly at the end of the war, in Pointe Noire. The fighting resulted in the postponement of the presidential elections scheduled for July and August. The newly established Constitutional Council decreed that President Lissouba should remain in office beyond the expiration of his term and until elections could be held, but Sassou-Nguesso rejected the extension of Lissouba's term. In October Sassou-Nguesso forces defeated government and militia troops loyal to President Lissouba, and established a new Government. Shortly thereafter, the Sassou Government suspended the constitution.
Several hundred Angolan troops intervened to assist Sassou-Nguesso forces in Brazzaville; more Angolan troops entered the country from the south and occupied the port city of Pointe Noire. Angolan troops also participated in operations in the south, between Pointe Noire and Brazzaville. Sassou-Nguesso announced the formation of a Government with 33 members, with Sassou as President and Defense Minister.
During the National Reconciliation Forum convened in January 1998, the Government announced its intention to create a new constitution and hold elections within 3 years. A constitutional committee appointed by the President presented him with a draft Constitution in August. Once approved by the cabinet, this draft must be passed by the NTC, then adopted by popular referendum. In October, President Sassou publicly reaffirmed his intention to complete the constitutional reform process during 2000 and then to hold elections.
In 1998 the CNT passed a law on genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity that permits the exclusion from public office of those found guilty of such crimes. This law could be used to exclude opponents from the political process, and the threat of charges under this law may have dissuaded exiled political figures from returning to the country.
In 1999 a court convicted in absentia former President Lissouba of plotting to kill President Sassou-Nguesso, and in 2000 a court convicted in absentia former Prime Minister Kolelas of torture and other crimes during the 1997 civil war. In December 2001, Lissouba was again convicted, this time for high treason, and sentenced to 30 years' hard labor. Nevertheless, many senior officials of the former government, including a number of former cabinet ministers, returned to the country and resumed political activities without incident.
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