:Denis Sassou Nguesso

A member of the Mbochi ethnic group,{{Cite web|date=23 February 2007|title=République du Congo (Congo-Brazzaville) : information indiquant s'il existe des signes distinctifs visibles entre les membres de l'ethnie Mbochi et les autres ethnies en termes d'apparence, de pratiques et de styles de vie; information indiquant s'il est possible de déterminer par son nom l'appartenance d'une personne à l'ethnie Mbochi|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/469cda50c.html|access-date=|website=refworld.org}} Sassou Nguesso was born in Edou in the Oyo district in northern Congo in 1943. His parents are Julien Nguesso and Émilienne Mouebara.{{cite web|language=fr|title=Congo-Brazzaville : Denis Sassou Nguesso, le joueur de poker|date=30 August 2012|publisher=Jeune Afrique|url=http://www.jeuneafrique.com/140289/politique/congo-brazzaville-denis-sassou-nguesso-le-joueur-de-poker/}} Nguesso was the youngest child in the family.{{cite web|author=Antoine Daniel Kongo|language=fr|title=Congo-Brazzaville: Denis Sassou Nguesso, premier président de la Nouvelle République|date=24 March 2016|publisher=allAfrica|url=http://fr.allafrica.com/stories/201603240843.html}} His father was a notable hunter chief in Edou.{{cite web|author=Germaine Mapanga|language=fr|title=Denis Sassou Nguesso " Lékufé ", notable à 10 ans|date=26 June 2017|publisher=allAfrica|url=http://lesechos-congobrazza.com/politique/3163-denis-sassou-nguesso-lekufe-notable-a-10-ans}} He received primary education in Fort Rousset, now Owando. He studied in Dolisie Normal College between 1956 and 1960.{{cite web|url=http://www.consulatgeneralcongo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31&Itemid=167|language=fr|date=17 August 2014|title=Liste des présidents de la République du Congo Brazzaville|publisher=Consulate General of Congo in Tunis}}

He joined the army in 1960 just before the country was granted independence.{{cite book |last=Turner |first=Barry |date=2009 |title=The Statesman's Yearbook 2010: The Politics, Cultures and Economies of the World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YpLlDQAAQBAJ&q=Isidore+Mvouba+1954&pg=PA352 |publisher=Springer |page=352 |isbn=978-1-349-58632-5}} He received military training in Algeria. In 1962, he returned to Congo and was reassigned to active duty with the rank of second lieutenant. A year later, he joined the Application School for Infantry, at Saint-Maixent-l'École, France whence he graduated with the rank of lieutenant. He returned to join Congo's elite paratroop regiment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Denis-Sassou-Nguesso|title=Denis Sassou-Nguesso {{!}} president of Republic of the Congo|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=29 March 2016}} He was one of the first officers of the Airborne Group, the first paratroop battalion of the Congolese Army, which was created by Marien Ngouabi in 1965.{{Cite web|last=NOUAILLE-DEGORCE|first=Brigitte|title=NGOUABI MARIEN (1938–1977)|url=https://www.universalis.fr/encyclopedie/marien-ngouabi/|website=universalis.fr|date=19 January 1999}} He commanded the Airborne Group, the army and the Brazzaville Military Zone (ZAB), and then headed the Intelligence department of the State Security Services. He became captain, then commander, and was promoted to colonel (1978) and later as army general (1989).

He was part of the 1968 military coup that overthrew president Massemba Debat and brought Marien Ngouabi to power. He was a founding member of the National Revolution Council (Conseil National de la revolution) in December 1968.{{Cite web|title=LISTE DES MEMBRES FONDATEURS DU CONSEIL NATIONAL DE LA RÉVOLUTION (21 décembre 1968)|url=http://congo-liberty.com/?p=24588|website=congo-liberty.com|access-date=7 August 2021|archive-date=7 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807111149/http://congo-liberty.com/?p=24588|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|title=L'historique du parti|url=http://www.particongolaisdutravail.org/histoire.html|website=particongolaisdutravail.org}}

In 1968, Sassou Nguesso took part in the military coup led by Commander Marien Ngouabi against Debat: He was a member of the Congolese National Revolution Council (Conseil National de la révolution){{Cite web|title=LISTE DES MEMBRES FONDATEURS DU CONSEIL NATIONAL DE LA RÉVOLUTION (21 décembre 1968)|url=http://congo-liberty.com/?p=24588|website=congo-liberty.com|access-date=7 August 2021|archive-date=7 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807111149/http://congo-liberty.com/?p=24588|url-status=dead}} established on 5 August 1968.{{Cite journal|title=Journal officiel de la république du Congo|url=https://www.sgg.cg/JO/1968/congo-jo-1968-16.pdf|journal=Journal officiel de la république du Congo|pages=22}} Under the leadership of Marien Ngouabi, the group limited the president's powers, before the latter finally resigned on 3 September 1968.{{Cite web|title=Congo-Brazzaville : 31 juillet 1968 : Coup d'Etat militaire ou complot politique ? Démission du Président Massamba Débat et prise de pouvoir de Marien NGouabi (2e partie)|url=http://congo-liberty.com/?p=22239.;Ngouabi|website=congo-liberty.com|access-date=7 August 2021|archive-date=7 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210807111149/http://congo-liberty.com/?p=22239.;Ngouabi|url-status=dead}} Ngouabi officially became head of state in January 1969.{{Cite news|title=LE COMMANDANT NGOUABI DEVIENT CHEF DE L'ÉTAT|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1969/01/02/le-commandant-ngouabi-devient-chef-de-l-etat_2422753_1819218.html|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|date=2 January 1969}}

In December 1969, Sassou Nguesso was elected as a member of the first central committee of the new Congolese Labor Party (Parti Congolais du travail, PCT). It was a communist party with a Marxist–Leninist doctrine. It was headed by Marien Ngouabi as president of the central committee, president of the republic and head of state.{{Cite web|date=|title=Accession de Marien Ngouabi à la présidence de la République du Congo|url=https://perspective.usherbrooke.ca/bilan/servlet/BMEve/1052|website=perspective.usherbrooke.ca}}

A new constitution was issued on 31 December 1969, which designated the country as the People's Republic of Congo.{{Cite journal|title=Journal officiel de la république populaire du Congo|url=https://www.sgg.cg/JO/1970/congo-jo-1970-02.pdf|journal=Journal officiel de la république populaire du Congo|pages=22}}

In March 1970, following a failed coup attempted by Pierre Kinganga, a former lieutenant who was exiled in the neighboring Congo-Kinshasa,{{Cite news|title=ÉCHEC D'UN NOUVEAU COUP D'ÉTAT AU CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/archives/article/1970/03/24/echec-d-un-nouveau-coup-d-etat-au-congo-brazzaville_2662936_1819218.html|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|date=24 March 1970}} an extraordinary session of the PCT's congress was held, during which Sassou Nguesso integrated the political bureau of the PCT.{{Cite web|title=Le premier congrès extraordinaire du parti congolais du travail|url=http://www.particongolaisdutravail.org/histoire-suite1.html|website=particongolaisdutravail.org}}

On 18 May 1973, Sassou Nguesso, who had been corps commander of the airborne group, was made Director of State Security.{{Cite journal|title=Journal officiel de la république populaire du congo|url=https://www.sgg.cg/JO/1973/congo-jo-1973-11.pdf|journal=Journal officiel de la république populaire du congo|volume=11|pages=48}}

In 1975, amid an economic crisis, an extraordinary session of the PCT central committee was summoned. The eight members of the political bureau resigned and were replaced by a restricted "Revolutionary Special General Staff" (Etat major spécial révolutionnaire), composed of five members, including Sassou Nguesso, and headed by Marien Ngouabi. At the end of the extraordinary session, Marien Ngouabi asked Sassou Nguessou and five other members for a report on the economic and political situation. The paper became known as the "Declaration of 12 December 1975". It recommended the "radicalization" of the revolution.{{Cite web |date=10 January 2014 |title=La déclaration du 12 décembre 1975 |url=https://www.adiac-congo.com/content/la-declaration-du-12-decembre-1975 |website=adiac-congo.com |language=fr}}

In the same period, he was appointed Minister of Defense and Security at age 32.{{Cite web |last=Cessou |first=Sabine |date=23 October 2015 |title=Congo-Brazzaville: Denis Sassou-Nguesso en dix dates |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20151023-congo-brazzaville-denis-sassou-nguesso-dix-dates-referendum |website=RFI |language=fr}}

On 18 March 1977, president Marien Ngouabi was assassinated.{{Cite web |last=Arseneault |first=Michel |date=17 March 2017 |title=Il y a 40 ans, la mort d'un président au marxisme 'bien tempéré' à Brazzaville |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20170317-congo-il-y-40-ans-assassinat-brazzaville-president-marien-ngouabi-marxisme-bien-tem |website=RFI |language=fr}} Official media stated that the assassination was conducted by a commando group led by Capt. Barthelemey Kikadidi.{{Cite journal|date=20 March 1977|title=Ngouabi Dies of Wounds|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/20/archives/ngouabi-dies-of-wounds-congolese-leader-slain-by-attackers.html|journal=The New York Times}} Others claimed that the assassination was plotted by military officers within the close circle of power.{{Cite web |date=20 March 2013 |title=[Congo-Brazzaville] Assassinat de Marien Ngouabi: l'énigme du 18 mars 1977 |url=https://blogs.mediapart.fr/jecmaus/blog/180313/congo-brazzaville-assassinat-de-marien-ngouabi-lenigme-du-18-mars-1977 |access-date=8 August 2021 |website=blogs.mediapart.fr |language=fr}}{{Cite book |last=Mayima-Mbemba |first=Jean-Claude |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xqkUAQAAIAAJ |title=Assassinats politiques au Congo-Brazzaville: rapport de la commission ad'hoc de la Conférence nationale souveraine, 25 février-10 juin 1991 |date=30 June 2004 |publisher=ICES |isbn=978-2-910153-30-4 |location=Corbeil-Essonnes |language=fr}}

A Military Committee of the Congolese Labor Party (Comité militaire du PCT) composed of eleven officers and led by Major Sassou Nguesso immediately took power and repealed the 1973 constitution. Sassou Nguesso acted as interim head of state from 18 March to 6 April 1977, then he conceded his position to general Joachim Yhombi-Opango, who became president. Sassou Nguesso held the position of 1st vice president of the committee, while retaining his position of minister of defense.{{Cite web|title=Accession de Denis Sassou-Nguesso à la présidence de la République populaire du Congo|url=https://perspective.usherbrooke.ca/bilan/servlet/BMEve/1275|access-date=8 August 2021|website=perspective.usherbrooke.ca}}

Shortly after the Ngouabi assassination, Massamba-Debat and his former prime minister Pascal Lissouba were arrested and accused by a courts-martial of plotting the assassination. Massamba-Debat was executed on 25 March 1977.{{Cite news |date=26 March 1977 |title=FORMER PRESIDENT EXECUTED IN CONGO |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/26/archives/former-president-executed-in-congo-massambadebat-convicted-of-plot.html |access-date=7 June 2024 |work=The New York Times |pages=7 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Sassou Nguesso was appointed provisional president on 8 February, before being confirmed, during a special congress on 31 March 1979 as head of the central committee, President of the Republic, head of state and President of the council of ministers, for five years.{{Cite web|title=Le premier congrès extraordinaire du parti congolais du travail|url=http://www.particongolaisdutravail.org/histoire-suite1.html|access-date=8 August 2021|website=particongolaisdutravail.org}}

On 8 July 1979, general elections were held and confirmed the PCT as the dominant political force: the Congolese Labor Party won all the seats in the People's National Assembly.{{Cite web|title=Accession de Denis Sassou-Nguesso à la présidence de la République populaire du Congo|url=https://perspective.usherbrooke.ca/bilan/servlet/BMEve/1275|website=perspective.usherbrooke.ca}}{{Cite web|title=Congo-Brazzaville (1960–present)|url=https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/sub-saharan-africa-region/congo-brazzaville-1960-present/|website=uca.edu}} A new constitution was adopted by referendum, confirming the socialist foundations of the country.{{Cite web|title=Perspective Monde|url=https://perspective.usherbrooke.ca/bilan/servlet/BMEve/1275https://cour-constitutionnelle.cg/constitutionsanterieures/ConstitutiondelaRepPopduCongodu8juillet1979.pdf|website=perspective.usherbrooke.ca}}

As the newly elected president, Sassou Nguesso negotiated loans from the International Monetary Fund and allowed foreign investors from France and the Americas to conduct oil and mineral extraction.

Although he was considered by French diplomats as representative of the radical wing of the PCT and as the Soviet Union and Cuba's man, Sassou Nguessou developed and maintained strong relationships with France on which he relied to support the staggering economy. The French oil company Elf Aquitaine played an important role in the exploitation of Congolese oil fields that led to the doubling of oil production and in supporting Congolese government expenses via pre-financing loans.{{Cite news|title=Le pétrole congolais d'Elf, huile de la Françafrique|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/evasion-fiscale/article/2018/04/10/le-petrole-congolais-d-elf-huile-de-la-francafrique_5283337_4862750.html|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|date=10 April 2018}}

He visited France in October 1979 and in July 1981 to seek economic support. In October 1980, high-ranking French political figures including former president Valery Giscard d'Estaing, and former prime ministers Jacques Chirac and Pierre Messmer, were guests to the celebration of the Brazzaville centenary.{{Cite book|title=congo brazzaville traité d'amitié avec l'union soviétique|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15Qza8LQcFMC&pg=PA273|access-date=8 August 2021|isbn=9782865377398|last1=Bazenguissa-Ganga|first1=Rémy|date=January 1997| publisher=KARTHALA Editions}}

In May 1980 Sassou Nguessou signed a twenty-year friendship pact with the Soviet Union and in the same year sent two delegations to China while a Chinese minister visited Brazzaville. However, the economic impact of these relationships remained marginal: France provided up to 50% of the country's foreign aid while the Soviet Union's contribution did not exceed 1.5%.

File:Denis Sassou Nguesso 1986 cropped.jpg

Sassou Nguesso was re-elected for a five-year term as President of the PCT Central Committee and President of the Republic at the party's Third Ordinary Congress on 27–31 July 1984,"Nov 1984 – Re-election of President – Government changes", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 30, November 1984, Congo, page 33,201. He announced the release of Yhombi-Opango."Jun 1986 – Release of former President-Party and Cabinet changes-Economic problems-Census", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 32, June 1986, Congo, page 34,406. He served as Chairman of the Organization of African Unity from 1986 to 1987. In late 1987 he faced down a serious military revolt in the north of the country with French aid.

At the PCT's Fourth Ordinary Congress on 26–31 July 1989, Sassou Nguesso was re-elected as President of the PCT Central Committee and President of the Republic,"Aug 1989 – Congo", Keesing's Record of World Events, volume 35, August 1989, Congo, page 36,842. and the PCT won all of the seats of the People's National Assembly.{{Cite web|title=Government: Eight Detained In Coup Plot|url=https://apnews.com/article/b5a59b5776314085ea980410e2f0efe7|access-date=8 August 2021|website=apnews.com}} With the collapse of the socialist states of Eastern Europe, as well as influence from the French, Sassou Nguesso began to bring the country towards capitalism.{{Citation needed|date=April 2014}}

In December 1989 he announced the end of government control of the economy and declared a partial amnesty for political prisoners. Over the following year, he attempted to improve the failing economic situation and reduce the outrageous levels of corruption. Starting in September 1990 political parties other than the PCT were allowed and Sassou Nguesso made a symbolic state visit to the United States, laying the grounds for a new series of conditional International Monetary Fund loans later that year.{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

He introduced multiparty politics in 1990 and was then stripped of executive powers by the 1991 National Conference,{{Cite news |last=Noble |first=Kenneth B. |date=25 June 1991 |title=Congo Political Conference Gives Africa a Democratic Model |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/25/world/congo-political-conference-gives-africa-a-democratic-model.html |access-date=24 August 2021 |work=The New York Times |page=A8 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} remaining in office as a ceremonial head of state. He stood as a candidate in the 1992 presidential election but placed third.{{Cite web|title=CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE|url=https://media.africaportal.org/documents/paper41.pdf|url-status=dead|access-date=14 August 2021|archive-date=14 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210814204328/https://media.africaportal.org/documents/paper41.pdf}}

In February 1991, a national conference began; the opposition gained control of the conference. The conference's declaration of its own sovereignty was not challenged by Sassou Nguesso. He was subjected to serious criticism and allegations during the Conference, including a claim from some delegates that he was involved in Ngouabi's assassination.{{cite news|author=John F. Clark|date=1997|editor2=David E. Gardinier|title=Congo: Transition and the Struggle to Consolidate|work=Political Reform in Francophone Africa|pages=68–69|editor1=John F. Clark}}Kenneth B. Noble, [https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CEFD6153AF936A15755C0A967958260 "Congo political conference gives Africa a democratic model"], The New York Times, 25 June 1991.

The first round of elections took place on 24 June, and the second on 19 July. Senate elections took place on 26 July. In the parliamentary election of June–July 1992, the PCT won only 19 of 125 seats in the National Assembly; the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS) led by former prime minister Pascal Lissouba, was the largest party. But it could not obtain an absolute majority in the National Assembly, with the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (MCDDI) led by former army General Bernard Kolelas in second position.

In the August 1992 presidential election, Sassou Nguesso was eliminated in the first round, placing third with 17% of the vote. He fared poorly everywhere except the north. The second round was held between Lissouba (UPADS) and Kolelas (MCDDI); Sassou Nguesso backed Lissouba, who won in the second round with 61.32% of the vote.

Lissouba became President of the Republic on 31 August and a new Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Stephane Bongho-Nouarra of UPADS, was formed on 7 August. In the meantime, a new alliance of seven parties, including the MCDDI and the Rally for Democracy and Social Progress (RDPS) was constituted. It was soon joined by the PCT, which was unhappy with the distribution of ministerial portfolios, thus ensuring a new parliamentary majority.

On 31 October, the National Assembly approved a motion of no confidence against Bongho-Nouarra who resigned. On 17 November, President Lissouba dissolved Parliament, announcing elections to break the deadlock. In December, Claude Antoine Dacosta was appointed prime minister at the head of a transitional government.{{Cite web|title=Congo Chambre parlementaire : Sénat {{!}} Élections tenues en 1992|url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-f/reports/arc/1370_92.htm|access-date=8 August 2021|website=archive.ipu.org/|language=fr}}

Civil war started in November 1993, when the opposition parties (UDR and PCT) contested the results of the parliamentary elections (October 1993) giving victory to the coalition supporting President Lissouba (Tendance présidentielle).{{Cite web|title=Chambre parlementaire: Assemblée nationale|url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-f/reports/arc/1071_93.htm|website=archive.ipu.org}} Armed militia supporting President Lissouba (Cocoyes, Zoulous and Mambas) clashed with Kolelas' Ninjas and Sassous Nguesso's Cobras.{{Cite web|title=Congo-Brazzaville: Bulletin spécial d'IRIN sur les milices au Congo|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/congo/congo-brazzaville-bulletin-sp%C3%A9cial-dirin-sur-les-milices-au-congo|website=reliefweb.int}} The conflict ended in December 1995, but left at least 2,000 dead and more than 100,000 displaced.{{Cite book|last=Pourtier|first=Roland|title=1997: les raisons d'une guerre 'incivile'|publisher=UNHCR Centre for Documentation and Research|year=1998|pages=17}}

After this episode Sassou Nguesso spent seven months in Paris in 1996, returning on 26 January 1997 to contest the presidential election scheduled for July.{{cite web|url=http://www.fidh.org/rapports/congo.htm|title=Entre arbitraire et impunite: les droits de l'homme au Congo-Brazzaville|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114133125/http://www.fidh.org/rapports/congo.htm |archive-date=14 November 2007|url-status=dead|author1=Congolese Human Rights Observatory|author1-link=Congolese Human Rights Observatory|author2=International Federation of Human Rights|author2-link=International Federation of Human Rights|date=April 1998|language=fr|quote=Le 26 janvier 1997, après un séjour de 7 mois en France, Denis Sassou Nguesso est revenu au Congo.|trans-quote=On 26 January 1997, after a sojourn of seven months in France, Sassou Nguesso returned to the [Republic of the] Congo.}}

The second round of the civil war erupted a few weeks before the presidential election.{{Cite book|title=les raisons d'une guerre 'incivile'|publisher=Afrique contemporaine}}

In May 1997, a visit by Sassou Nguesso to Owando, Yhombi-Opango's political stronghold, led to the outbreak of violence between his supporters and those of Yhombi-Opango.{{Cite journal|last=Yengo|first=Patrice|date=1998|title=" Chacun aura sa part " : les fondements historiques de la (re)production de la " guerre " à Brazzaville|url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/cea_0008-0055_1998_num_38_150_1811|journal=Cahiers d'Études africaines|volume=38|issue=150|pages=471–503|doi=10.3406/cea.1998.1811}} On 5 June 1997, government forces surrounded Sassou Nguesso's home in the Mpila section of Brazzaville, attempting to arrest Pierre Aboya and Engobo Bonaventure, who had been implicated in the violence. Fighting broke out between government forces and Cobras, which led to the second civil war.

At the beginning of the conflict, Kolelas' militia remained neutral, but on 8 September 1997, he joined the president's camp and became prime minister.{{Cite web|title=Congo Brazzaville, L'arbitraire de l'Etat, la terreur des milices|url=https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/rap-braz.pdf}} On 18 September, Angolan troops and airforce entered the battle, providing significant support to Sassou Nguesso. By 14 October a final assault covered by Angolan MiG aircraft was launched on the Presidential Palace and neighborhoods in south Brazzaville, then on Pointe Noire, against the President's militias (Zoulou, Cocoys, Aubervillois and Mambas) and the Ninjas.{{Cite web|title=Bulletin special d'information sur le Congo-Brazzaville – Congo|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/congo/bulletin-special-dinformation-sur-le-congo-brazzaville|access-date=14 August 2021|website=ReliefWeb|date=23 October 1997 |language=en}}

By October, Sassou Nguesso was in control, while Lissouba as well as Kolelas and Opango left the country. On 25 October 1997, Sassou Nguesso was sworn in.

He repealed the 1992 Constitution, and replaced it with a "Fundamental Act" that concentrated power in the President's hands.{{Cite web|title=Country Information and Policy Unit, Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, United Kingdom|url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3df4aadc0.pdf}} General Sassou Nguesso accumulated the functions of President of the Republic, Head of State, Head of Government, Minister of Defense and Supreme Chief of the Armies.

File:Lula and Denis Sassous Nguesso 2005-06-13 3.jpg and Sassou Nguesso in June 2005]]

A government was announced on 2 November 1997; it consisted mainly of members and relatives of the FDU (Forces Démocratiques unifies, a coalition between the PCT and other parties supporting Sassou Nguesso) as well as two members respectively of UPADS and MCDDI, who were not chosen by the presidents in exile.

He also called for a National reconciliation forum. However, the idea was rejected by Lissouba's followers who continued to strike into the region between the country's economic capital, Pointe Noire and Brazzaville, having cut the railway between the coast and Brazzaville for three months. In December 1997 heavy fighting resumed in the capital's southern suburbs (the Pool area) where the Ninja militia clashed with Congolese and Angolan troops and Cobra militiamen. As many as 1,500 may have been killed in the fighting, and thousands more fled to escape the violence.{{Cite web |last1=de Beer |first1=Hanlie |last2=Cornwell |first2=Richard |date=2 September 1999 |title=Congo-Brazzaville: The deep end of the Pool |url=https://issafrica.org/research/papers/congo-brazzaville-the-deep-end-of-the-pool |access-date=14 August 2021 |website=Institute for Security Studies}}

The Forum for Unity and National Reconciliation was held from 5 to 8 January 1998 with 1,420 delegates. It decided upon a transitional period of three years, to be followed by elections under a new Constitution. It also formed a 75-member National Transitional Council (NTC) to act as a legislative body. Members were elected by the forum by mid-January.{{Cite web|title=Country Information and Policy Unit|url=https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3df4aadc0.pdf}} However, violence did not end. By April 1998, militias opposed to Sassou Nguesso operated throughout southern Congo, coordinating their operations. In the beginning of 1999, violence had resumed in Brazzaville. Peace agreements were signed on 25 December under the auspices of President Omar Bongo of Gabon,{{Cite web|title=ACCORD DU 29 DECEMBRE 1999 A BRAZZAVILLE|url=https://www.peaceau.org/uploads/congobraz-29-12-1999.pdf}} ending the civil war, leaving 8,000–10,000 dead, around 800,000 displaced persons and a devastated country.

File:Sassou Nguesso, Bush - 20060605.jpg in the Oval Office in 2006]]

Presidential elections were held on 10 March 2002. 12 candidates entered the race, but only seven remained throughout the electoral process., Two candidates were disqualified by the Supreme Court on 10 February 2002 while two (Martin Mberi and General Anselme Makoumbou) withdrew from the race, on 6 March, protesting a lack of transparency in the electoral process. On 10 March, two days before the election, Andre Milongo, seen as the main challenger, withdrew, also citing a lack of transparency and calling for a boycott.{{Cite web|title=Congolese Opposition Leader Withdraws From Presidential Race – 2002-03-09|url=https://www.voanews.com/archive/congolese-opposition-leader-withdraws-presidential-race-2002-03-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625125002/https://www.voanews.com/archive/congolese-opposition-leader-withdraws-presidential-race-2002-03-09|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 June 2021|access-date=14 August 2021|website=Voice of America|language=en}}

The elections passed peacefully and Sassou Nguesso won with 89.41% of the votes. Serious malfunctions and acts of manipulation in a few electoral commissions were reported by the European Union Election Observation Mission, who reported that these acts did not impact the final result, and called for the sanction of those responsible in order to prevent the situation from happening again in the next elections.{{Cite web|title=CONGO ELECTION PRESIDENTIELLE 10 MARS 2002|url=https://www.ecoi.net/en/file/local/1411900/625_tmpphpogQZdH.pdf}}

Sassou Nguesso was elected Chairman of the African Union, the OAU's successor body, in January 2006. His election was the result of a compromise reached to prevent the chairmanship from going to Omar al-Bashir.{{Cite web |title=UA: Denis Sassou Nguesso au lieu d'Omar el-Béchir |date=24 January 2006 |url=https://www.dw.com/fr/ua-denis-sassou-nguesso-au-lieu-domar-el-b%C3%A9chir/a-2886664 |access-date=14 August 2021 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=fr-FR}}

File:Denis Sassou-Nguesso with Obamas.jpg with Barack and Michelle Obama in 2009]]

Sassou Nguesso was re-elected as President of the Central Committee of the PCT at the party's Fifth Extraordinary Congress in December 2006.Willy Mbossa, [http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=14234&oldaction=liste®pay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=0&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=12&select_year=2006 "Denis Sassou Nguesso reconduit à la tête du comité central du Parti congolais du travail"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708093050/http://www.brazzaville-adiac.com/index.php?action=depeche&dep_id=14234&oldaction=liste®pay_id=0&them_id=0&cat_id=0&ss_cat_id=0&LISTE_FROM=0&select_month=12&select_year=2006 |date=8 July 2011}}, Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, 30 December 2006 {{in lang|fr}}. He was re-elected in the July 2009 presidential election with 78.61% of the vote amidst an opposition boycott. He said that his re-election meant continued "peace, stability and security", and he called for an end to "thinking like ... freeloaders" in reference to international aid. At his inauguration Sassou Nguesso announced that he would support an amnesty bill to pardon Lissouba, who had gone into exile after his 1997 ouster and was convicted of crimes in absentia. Sassou Nguesso said that he wanted the amnesty bill to be presented to Parliament by the end of 2009.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140225075845/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g_1c-B0FlV37Bpumy0UGd69KnElw "Congo leader in pardon for ex-president at start of new term"], AFP, 14 August 2009. As Congo-Brazzaville prepared to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its independence from France in 2010, Sassou Nguesso noted that the country had far to go in fully realizing the dream of independence: "Our country will not be totally independent until our people are free of the yoke of poverty."[https://archive.today/20130124192312/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gzFgzuy0Lp0LPYqvZp7iaBQ3YmaQ "Congo celebrates 50 years independence"], AFP, 15 August 2010.

File:Denis Sassou-Nguesso & Vladimir Putin - 2019.jpg with Sassou Nguesso at a ceremony for exchanging documents signed following Russia-Congo talks, May 2019]]

On 27 March 2015 Sassou Nguesso announced that his government would hold a referendum to change the 2002 constitution, which would allow him to run for a third consecutive term.Aaron Ross, [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-president-idUSKBN0MN25N20150327 "Congo Republic president says expects referendum over third term"], Reuters, 27 March 2015. The proposal was overwhelmingly approved by voters, with 92.96% in favor. Turnout was officially placed at 72.44%.[https://news.yahoo.com/more-90-vote-allow-congo-leaders-bid-extend-071858967.html "More than 90% vote to allow Congo leader's bid to extend rule"], Agence France-Presse, 27 October 2015. However the opposition argued that due to low turnout, the results should be annulled.{{Cite news |date=26 October 2015 |title=Congo referendum should be annulled due to low turnout, opposition says |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-politics-idUSKCN0SK1C120151026 |access-date=23 July 2022}}

On 20 March 2016, Sassou Nguesso ran for a third consecutive term of 5 years and was reelected in the first round with 60% of the vote.{{Cite news|last=Elion|first=Christian|date=24 March 2016|title=Congo's Sassou Nguesso wins re-election, opposition vows protests|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-congo-election-idUSKCN0WQ0MQ|access-date=15 August 2021}}

Opposition leader Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas finished second with 15 percent of the vote while retired general Jean-Marie Mokoko, a former security adviser to Sassou Nguesso, came third with 14 percent.

For the first time in the history of the Republic, these elections were supervised by an independent commission (CNEI: Commission Nationale Electorale Indépendante). The opposition rejected the outcome, alleging fraud and calling for civil disobedience.

File:Denis Sassou Nguesso, Joe Biden, Jill Biden.jpg and Jill Biden in December 2022]]

During the presidential election that took place on 21 March 2021, Sassou Nguessou, who faced six challengers for the presidency, came first once again, garnering 88.4% of the votes. His main challenger, Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas, finished second with 7.96%, Mathias Dzon received 1.92%, and the other four candidates each received less than 1% each.

In December 2022, he attended the United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022 in Washington, D.C. and met with US President Joe Biden.{{Cite web |date=13 December 2022 |title=Africa: Heads of Delegation for U.S–Africa Leaders Summit – White House |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202212130597.html |access-date=16 December 2022 |website=AllAfrica |language=en}}

In July 2023, he attended the 2023 Russia–Africa Summit in Saint Petersburg and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the summit, Nguesso called for peace in Ukraine.{{cite news |title=Congo Republic leader urges end to Russia-Ukraine conflict |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/congo-republic-leader-urges-end-russia-ukraine-conflict-2023-07-28/ |work=Reuters |date=28 July 2023}}

As the Chairman of the African Union High Level Committee on Libya, Sassou Nguesso stated, "The settlement of the Libyan crisis appears, more than ever, as an absolute urgency", especially because of the possible negative impact of terrorist groups in the south of Libya on neighboring states.

He declared "this crisis remains, before any other consideration, an African problem."{{Cite web|last=Maëlle|title=Paix en Libye : Une rencontre inédite|url=https://brazzavillefoundation.org/en/news/525-peace-in-libya-an-unprecedented-meeting-between-denis-sassou-nguesso-sheikh-farhat-jaabiri-and-jean-yves-ollivier|access-date=24 August 2021|website=Brazzaville Foundation|language=en-gb}}{{Cite web|date=22 June 2021|title=Libye : pourquoi Denis Sassou Nguesso a reçu le leader spirituel des ibadites ? – Jeune Afrique|url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1191923/politique/libye-quest-venu-faire-le-leader-spirituel-des-ibadites-a-brazzaville/|access-date=24 August 2021|website=JeuneAfrique.com|language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web|last=Jacques|first=SIKA Jean|title=Crise libyenne : Le soutien de la communauté Ibadite à Denis Sassou N'Guesso pour son action dans le conflit libyen|url=https://lesechos-congobrazza.com/politique/7970-crise-libyenne-le-soutien-de-la-communaute-ibadite-a-denis-sassou-n-guesso-pour-son-action-dans-le-conflit-libyen|access-date=24 August 2021|website=Les Echos du Congo Brazzaville|date=20 June 2021 |language=fr-fr}}{{Cite web|date=20 June 2021|title=La Libye au cœur d'une rencontre entre Denis Sassou N'Guesso et le Cheikh Farhat Jaâbiri|url=https://lejournaldelafrique.com/lafrique-daujourdhui/la-libye-au-coeur-dune-rencontre-entre-denis-sassou-nguesso-et-le-cheikh-farhat-jaabiri/|access-date=24 August 2021|website=Le Journal de l'Afrique}}

In September 2005, Sassou Nguesso and his entourage of more than fifty people stayed eight days at the Waldorf Astoria in Manhattan, New York, for Sassou Nguesso to deliver a fifteen-minute speech to the United Nations General Assembly. The Sunday Times reported that the trip cost a total of US$295,000, with thousands of dollars spent on room service alone.{{Cite web |last=Allen-Mills |first=Tony |date=12 February 2006 |title=Congo leader's £169,000 hotel bill |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/congo-leader-s-169-000-hotel-bill-z7k8hwdk9lb |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240607015806/https://www.thetimes.com/article/congo-leader-s-169-000-hotel-bill-z7k8hwdk9lb |archive-date=7 June 2024 |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=The Sunday Times |language=en}} Sassou Nguesso was criticized by the Republic of Congo's creditors, as he was in negotiations with the World Bank and the UN International Monetary Fund to cancel Congolese debts, claiming inability to repay them.

In July 2007, British NGO Global Witness published documents showing that the President's son, Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, may have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars from the country's oil sales on shopping sprees in Paris and Dubai. The documents show that in August 2006, Denis Christel, who was the head of Cotrade{{Snd}}the marketing branch of Congo's state oil firm SNPC{{Snd}}spent $35,000 on purchases from designers such as Louis Vuitton and Roberto Cavalli.[http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_get.php/439/en/denis_christel_sassou_nguesso_credit_card_bill.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902191741/http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_get.php/439/en/denis_christel_sassou_nguesso_credit_card_bill.pdf|date=2 September 2010}} Reputation management company Schillings Solicitors unsuccessfully attempted to suppress this information.{{cite web |url=http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/inpractice/lawreports/view=details.law?GAZETTEINPRACTICEID=357873 |title=Law reports |publisher=The Law Gazette |access-date=27 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911051711/http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/inpractice/lawreports/view%3Ddetails.law?GAZETTEINPRACTICEID=357873 |archive-date=11 September 2007}}{{Citation needed|date=August 2021}}

On 30 November 2020, Sassou Nguesso and four ministers issued a decree terminating a contract with Australian mining company Sundance Resources to develop the Mbalam-Nabeba iron-ore deposit. Permits for the areas Avima, Nabeba and Bandodo were instead awarded to Sangha Mining Development, a subsidiary of Best Way Finance, a Hong Kong Corporation.{{Cite web |last=Mutesi |first=Maggie |date=25 March 2021 |title=Another win for President Nguesso ensures Congo's economic crisis will prolong |url=https://mansamedia.africa/another-win-for-president-nguesso-ensures-congos-economic-crisis-will-prolong/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328113808/https://mansamedia.africa/another-win-for-president-nguesso-ensures-congos-economic-crisis-will-prolong/ |archive-date=28 March 2023 |access-date=14 March 2024 |website=Mansa Media}}{{cite web |title=Republic of Congo cancels iron ore project with Sundance Resources |url=https://www.mining.com/web/republic-of-congo-cancels-iron-ore-project-with-sundance-resources/ |website=MINING.COM |date=22 December 2020}}{{cite web |title=Presentation of the Avima, Badondo and Nabeba mines |url=https://www.bestwayfinance.org/project/3}}

Sassou Nguesso has supported corruption and embezzlement of Congo's wealth. In the Pandora Papers, it was revealed that he controlled diamond mines which were some of the most valuable assets in the country.{{cite news |last1=Hairsine |first1=Kate |title=Pandora Papers expose African leaders' offshore secrets |url=https://www.dw.com/en/pandora-papers-expose-african-leaders-offshore-secrets/a-59399552 |access-date=11 April 2025 |work=dw.com |date=10 April 2021 |language=en}}

• File:CGO_Ordre_du_Merite_Congolaise_ribbon.svg Grand Cross of the Order of Merit

• {{flag|Angola}}:
• 60px Recipient of the Order of Agostinho Neto (1992)
• {{Flag|Benin}}:
• 60px Grand Cross of the National Order of Benin (2011){{cite web|access-date=5 April 2014 |date=8 February 2011 |title=Visite du président congolais au Bénin et au Togo : Denis Sassou Nguesso honoré de la distinction de Grand-croix dans les deux pays |url=http://www.lasemaineafricaine.net/index.php/national/114-visite-du-president-congolais-au-benin-et-au-togo-denis-sassou-nguesso-honore-de-la-distinction-de-grand-croix-dans-les-deux-pays |website=lasemaineafricaine.net}}.
• {{Flag|Ivory Coast}}:
• 60px Grand Cross of the National Order of the Ivory Coast (2023){{cite web |url=https://news.abidjan.net/photos/832277-remise-de-distinction-au-president-denis-sassou-nguesso-du-congo-en-marge-du-diner-officiel-offert-en-son-honneur |title=Remise de distinction au Président Denis SASSOU NGUESSO du Congo en marge du dîner officiel offert en son honneur |website=abidjan.net |date=13 June 2023 |language=fr}}
• {{flag|Portugal}}:
• 60px Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (1984)
• {{Flag|Russia}}:
• 60px Order of Honour (2024){{cite web |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20240628-en-visite-%C3%A0-moscou-sassou-nguesso-salue-la-russie-pour-son-courage-et-sa-r%C3%A9silience |title=En visite à Moscou, le président congolais Sassou-Nguesso salue la Russie pour son «courage et sa résilience» |date=28 June 2024}}
• {{Flag|Senegal}}:
• 60px Grand Cross of the National Order of the Lion (2022){{cite web |url=https://www.adiac-congo.com/content/senegal-congo-decoration-denis-sassou-nguesso-eleve-la-dignite-de-grand-croix-de-lordre |title=Sénégal-Congo-Décoration. Denis Sassou N'Guesso élevé à la dignité de Grand-Croix de l'ordre national du Lion |date=8 July 2022 |website=ADIAC |language=fr}}
• {{Flag|Togo}}:
• 60px Grand Cross of the Order of Mono (2011){{cite web|access-date=5 April 2014 |author=Togo-Presse |title=6e anniversaire du rappel à Dieu du Père de la Nation feu Gnassingbe Eyadema. Les présidents Denis Sassou N'Guesso et Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe aux cérémonies commémoratives dans la Kozah |url=http://editogo.tg/presse.php?date=2011-02-07&numero=8474 |website=editogo.tg}}.

• List of presidents of the Republic of the Congo
• Robert Bourgi
• Lists of political office-holders in Congo

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web|title=Décision No 003/dcc/el/pr/21 du 06 avril 2021 sur les recours aux fins d'annulation et de report de l'élection du Président de la Republique, scrutin des 17 et 21 mars 2021, et portant proclamation des résultats définitifs de ladite élection |language=fr |trans-title=Decision No 003/dcc/el/pr/21 of 6 April 2021 concerning appeals aiming at cancelling and delaying the election of the President of the Republic, in the vote of 17 and 21 March 2021, and declaring the definitive results of this election |date=6 April 2021 |website=Constitutional Court of the Republic of the Congo |url=https://cour-constitutionnelle.cg/admincc/decisions/DCC-003-EL-PR%20-%202021.pdf |access-date=31 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629025852/https://cour-constitutionnelle.cg/admincc/decisions/DCC-003-EL-PR%20-%202021.pdf |archive-date=29 June 2022 |url-status=live}}

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• {{Official website|http://www.sassou.net}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Chairperson of the African Union|years=2006–2007}}

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{{Heads of state of republics}}

{{African Union chairpersons}}

{{Heads of state of OPEC member states}}

{{Fall of Communism}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nguesso, Denis Sassou}}

Category:1943 births

Category:Chairpersons of the African Union

Category:Communism in the Republic of the Congo

Category:Congolese Party of Labour politicians

Category:Living people

Category:People from Cuvette Department

Category:People named in the Pandora Papers

Category:Presidents of the Republic of the Congo

Category:Vice presidents of the Republic of the Congo

Category:Honorary Fellows of the African Academy of Sciences

Category:Former Marxists

Category:20th-century Republic of the Congo politicians

Category:21st-century Republic of the Congo politicians