République Populaire du Congo

Proclaimed by President Marien Ngouabi on December 31, 1969, the Republic of the Congo officially became the People's Republic of the Congo upon promulgation of a new constitution on January 3, 1970. The new constitution placed all governmental activities under the control of the Central Committee of the Congolese Labor Party and a Council of State, both headed by President Ngouabi. There was no provision for a legislature.

Ngouabi was assassinated in 1977 and was succeeded by Colonel Joachim Yhombi-Opango, who ruled until February 1979, when Denis Sassou-Nguesso rose to power.

Marxist rule of Congo came to an end with promulgation of a new constitution on June 10, 1991. That constitution dropped "People's" from the country's official name, and also replaced the flag and anthem. André Milongo was subsequently appointed transitional Prime Minister, with full executive authority. President Denis Sassou-Nguesso was allowed to remain in office, in a ceremonial capacity only.

The flag of the People's Republic featured a hammer and hoe, a variation of the Soviet hammer and sickle. The yellow star represented the leading role of the Congolese Labor Party. The red field symbolized the blood shed during Congo's struggle for independence.

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This page was last updated on October 02, 2018.