Fulbert Youlou

Fulbert Youlou

Fulbert Youlou in 1963
1st President of Republic of the Congo
In office
15 August 1960 – 15 August 1963
Preceded by None
Succeeded by Alphonse Massemba-Débat
2nd Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo
In office
8 December 1958 – 21 November 1959
Preceded by Jacques Opangault
Succeeded by Post abolished, 1959–1963; Alphonse Massemba-Débat
Personal details
Born (1917-07-19)19 July 1917[1][2][3]
Madibou, Moyen-Congo
Died 6 May 1972(1972-05-06) (aged 54)
Madrid, Spain
Nationality Congolese
Political party Democratic Union for the Defence of African Interests
Religion Roman Catholic

Abbé Fulbert Youlou (9 June,[1] 17 June[2] or 9 July 1917[3] – 6 May 1972) was a laicized Brazzaville-Congolese Roman Catholic priest, nationalist leader and politician, who became the first President of Congo-Brazzaville on its independence.

Abbé Fulbert Youlou was one of the most controversial people in Congo-Brazzaville, to the point that for decades he was subject to anathema in his country. However, from the beginning, "Abbé" was viewed by his fellow citizens as a sort of man sent by providence. In August 1960, he led his country into independence. In December 1960 he organised a major intercontinental conference in Brazzaville, in the course of which he praised the advantages of economic liberalism and condemned communism. Three years later, economic prosperity has still not been achieved, but the government had slipped into insolent pomp.[4] Youlou had disappointed the "moderates". His decision to impose a single party system and imprison union leaders in August 1963 was the key factor leading to the revolution of the "Trois Glorieuses." Charles de Gaulle despised him and France refused to assist him.[5]

Almost completely isolated, the old priest resigned from power, leaving behind a reputation for eccentricity, authoritarianism and corruption.

Youth and Ordination

Youlou's home region of Pool.

Youlou whose last name means "Grape" in Lari,[6] was born on 9 June 1917[7] in Madibou in Pool.[8] A younger child in a family of three boys,[9] he was a Lari of the Kongo.[8] At nine years old, he was baptised and received the Christian name Fulbert.[9][10] In 1929 he entered the Petit Séminaire of Brazzaville.[9] A brilliant student, he was sent to Akono in Cameroon, to complete his secondary studies.[9] After this, he entered the Grand Séminaire of Yaoundé where he seemed to show great talent for philosophy.[9] Here he met Barthélemy Boganda, the future nationalist leader of Oubangui-Chari and the first president of the Central African Republic but also Andre-Marie Mbida, Cameroon's first head of state.[9]

Returning to the country, he taught at the Seminary in Mbamou before travelling to Libreville to complete his theological studies.[9] He completed his final cycle of studies in Brazzaville.[9] Fulbert Youlou was ordained as a priest on 9 June 1946[10][11] or in 1949.[12] He was assigned to the parish of Saint-François de Brazzaville where he directed several youth organisations, sporting activities, catholic groups very dynamically.[11] He also took charge of the chaplaincy of the general hospital and the prison.[11]

Political rise

A political priest

Fulbert Youlou was very interested in politics. Encouraged by his protector, Father Charles Lecomte, he offered his candidature for the African college in the territorial elections of 1947 in the district of Pool.[13] But although Father Lecomte was elected without difficulty to the European college, Youlou suffered a bitter defeat.[13] He realised that if he were elected, he should no longer appear so clearly supported by the administration or the missions.[14] Although a man of the white church, thereafter he gave himself over to the African resistance.[15]

This attitude did not please his superiors,[16] and moreover in October 1953 a complaint was made to the diocese against the young Abbé, caught in the act of adultery.[15] As a disciplinary measure, he was reassigned on 20 November 1954 to a mission in the forest at Mindouli[17] where he was employed as the headmaster of a Catholic school.[18]

During his time at Saint-François, Youlou made an impression as a Lari orator on account of his ability to gather different functions around himself.[19] Many Lari were followers of Matswanisme, a messianic movement challenging colonialism which was founded by André Matswa, who died in prison in 1942.[19] The young Abbé managed to position himself as an interlocutor for the Matswa, taking control of Amicale, the Lari self-help organization Matswa had founded,[10] allowing him to exercise influence on his disciples.[20] In addition, his focus on the association enabled him to attach himself to the Lari youth.[20] Finally, his punishment by the church confirmed him in his role as their leader because it made him appear the victim of the European-dominated Congoloese church.[18][21]

Between politician and mystic

In October 1955, thanks to this revolutionary image, a Kongo council (not limited to Lari people) chose him as their representative for the upcoming legislative elections.[18] When his candidature was announced, his bishop Mgr. Bernard attempted to dissuade him.[18] He was banned from wearing the cassock and from celebrating the mass.[17] In this state, the Kongos supplied a monthly pension for him and even a car with a driver to meet his needs.[18]

Initially, Youlou's supporters considered him the reincarnation of "Jesus-Matswa,"[8] an idea encouraged by the fact that he was a priest.[8] Very quickly he became a living symbol of colonial resistance himself.[22] A story attached him to the Loufoulakari falls, where the great Kongo Boueta Mbongo was decapitated and thrown into the water by the colonisers.[18] He took to bathing there in his cassock, praying and calling upon the powerful ancestors. Allegedly his clothes remained dry even when he was immersed.[23]

This mysticism was carried over into the electoral campaign. Acts of violence became the method of political action for the Bacongo militants which he oversaw.[23] Thus on 12 December 1955, tracts by his supporters called for the Matswanists who had not joined Abbé to be "whipped."[24] One of them, Victor Wamba, in fact saw his house burnt down on 18 December.[24] The agitation reached fever pitch on 2 January 1956, the day of the election: when the polls of Bacongo were opened, Lari youth took it upon themselves to beat up voters whom they suspected of not voting for Youlou.[23] The authorities had to send out security forces to protect the polling stations.[24] Calm did not long return to Brazzaville. In the following two days, a number of houses were destroyed, four people were killed and several dozen were wounded.[24] Fulbert Youlou and one of his opponents, Jacques Opangault called for calm by radio.[24]

A week later, the results were announced.[23] The incumbent, Jean-Félix Tchicaya was re-elected as deputy for Central Congo with 45,976 votes (29.7% of voters), against 43,193 for Jacques Opangault and 41,084 for Youlou.[12][25] A collection was organised so that he might travel to Paris in order to attempt to invalidate the election of Tchicaya.[26] This voyage allowed him to make some new contacts.[26]

Rise to power

Road to the Vice-Presidency

The crocodile, symbol of the UDDIA.

On 17 May 1956, Fulbert Youlou founded the Democratic Union for the Defence of African Interests|Union démocratique de défense des intérêts africains[27] (UDDIA), as a competitor to the Congolese Progressive Party (Parti progressiste congolais, PPC) of Tchicaya and of the section of the SFIO (transformed in January 1957 into the African Socialist Movement (Mouvement socialiste africain, MSA)) directed by Opangault.[12][28][29] The symbol of the new party was the crocodile, a ferocious and powerful animal linked to sorcery.[30] An anti-communist party of Liberal Christian persuasion, it contained 46 politicians,[26] 11 of which came from the PPC and 5 from the SFIO.[31] His political base, hitherto limited to the three regions of Pool, Niari and Bouenza, expanded to include Kouliou, with the assistance of the PPC secretary general, Stéphane Tchitchéllé.[28]

In November 1956, Youlou filed papers declaring his candidacy for the election of the mayor of Brazzaville. However, these papers were in fact supposed to be filed in Pointe-Noire. French colonial officials, aware of Barthélemy Boganda's similar dramatic rise to power in Ubangi-Shari, did not want to take the risk of letting Youlou's request lapse, which could have caused unrest amongst the public, so they informed him of his error. They believed that they could utilize Youlou's influence among the Lari people to their benefit.[32] The municipal elections took place on 18 November 1956 for a single combined European and African council and the UDDIA experienced clear success, taking Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Dolisie.[33] Youlou defeated Jacques Opangault and was elected mayor of Brazzaville, the first black elected mayor in French Equatorial Africa,[34] with 23 seats compared to SFIO's 11 and PPC's 3.[35]

Support for Tchicaya's PPC collapsed almost entirely, leaving Opanagult and Youlou as the main political contenders in the 31 March 1957 Moyen-Congo Territorial Assembly elections, held to elect a local government, in accordance with the Loi Cadre Defferre which had entered into force in 1956. Despite their earlier successes, the UDDIA's Vice-President Simon Kikounga N'Got quit the movement and founded his own party, the Groupement pour le progrès économique et social du Moyen-Congo (GPES)[36] Simon Kikounga N'Got took the electorate of Niari with him and won over the PPC-MSA coalition.[36] Thus, on 31 March 1957, the UDDIA came second with 22 seats, while the coalition led by Opangault won 23 seats.[37] Following negotiations, a coalition government was eventually formed by the MSA and UDDIA, with five ministerial portfolios assigned to each party.[37] Opangault received the Vice-Presidency - French colonial governors remained as Presidents until 14 July 1958 when these positions were taken by the elected African Vice-Presidents.[38][39] Abbé took the ministry of agriculture, intending to take advantage of the numerous tours of the country which the position would require.[37]

Manouevres and political tensions

The Ivoirien Félix Houphouët-Boigny

During the territorial elections of March 1957, the leading colonists in the country united in the Union du Moyen-Congo (UMC) had effectively supported Youlou.[40] In September 1957 they helped him to poach a representative of Niari, Georges Yambot, from the ranks of the GPES.[41] The UDDIA thus achieved a majority in the Assembly, with 23 seats. Youlou was appointed to the Vice-Presidency. The MSA expressed its outrage and demanded the dismissal of Yambot.[41] The crisis reached its height when Yambot was abducted on 24 November 1957 in order to force him to resign from his seat in the Assembly.[41] The Governor, Jean Soupault, managed to broach a compromise: Opangault was restored to the Vice-Presidency and the UDDIA retained its new majority in the Assembly.[41]

In January 1958, relations between the two parties worsened again after Youlou decided to organise UDDIA investigatory trips to the GPES fief of Dolisie.[41] Clashes took place there between the socialists and Youlou's supporters, leading to at least one death and several injuries.[42] Paris, tired of all these clashes, ordered the two Congolese leaders to control their followers.[42]

In May 1958 further reinforced his position. On the 5th, the UDDIA's European deputy, Christian Jayle was elected to the Presidency of the territorial Assembly.[43] In addition, after the departure of Jean-Félix Tchicaya from the Rassemblement Démocratique Africain, the pan-African party of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the UDDIA replaced the PPC as its affiliate in the Congo.[44] Youlou's party thus gained the support of Paris and the goodwill of local authorities.[40]

Constitutional coup d'etat

Despite a degree of antipathy towards de Gaulle, Abbé Youlou supported the "Yes" vote in the referendum on the French Community on 28 September 1958, along with Opangault and Tchicaya.[29][45] This position received 93% of the vote, thereby reinforcing Congo's autonomy.[46]

On 28 November 1958, the Territorial Assembly met in session to grant institutions to the country.[46] The UDDIA and MSA were unable to agree on the shape the constitution should take.[47] The atmosphere was very tense; socialist sympathisers gathered around the government building.[46] The deputies exchanged insults as they arrived.[43] Finally the socialist deputies stormed out of the Assembly in protest, leaving the UDDIA with a majority.[43] Unconcerned, Youlou proclaimed the Republic on his own, passed constitutional laws, and converted the Territorial Assembly into a legislature. By a unanimous vote of the 23 deputies present, Youlou was appointed head of the provisional government.[43] Since the political climate in Pointe-Noire was hostile, he transferred the capital to Brazzaville.[48]

The opposition, headed by Oppangault, denounced this action as a constitutional coup d'État.[46] The next day, the MSA deputies met alone in the Assembly in Pointe-Noire to declare the actions of Youlou's supporters illegal.[49] This act led to riots: houses were burnt, three people were killed and many more wounded.[49] The French army was forced to intervene.[49]

Head of the Republic of Congo

Establishing personal power

Elimination of parliamentary opposition

On 8 December 1958, Fulbert Youlou became Prime Minister.[50][51] His government sought to make itself representative of Congolese society: it included at least one deputy from each region, representatives of traditional elites and two spokesmen for youth and unions.[52] Two European deputies from the MSA, Albert Fourvelle and André Kerherve, also received positions.[48] The government's majority thereby increased from 23 to 25 seats.

Opangault, whose party had only 20 seats, sought to redress the situation in the legislative elections scheduled for March 1959 by the agreement made with Youlou on 26 August 1958.[53] But now that he was Prime Minister, Youlou refused to hold them.[48] On 16 February 1959, the MSA deputies once again called for the dissolution of the assembly.[53] When this was again denied, MSA-PPC supporters in Poto-Poto (the quarter of Brazzaville controlled by the Mbochi, who supported Opangault)[48] attacked those they considered to be supporters of the UDDIA.[53] These clashes rapidly consumed the whole of Brazzaville and transformed into a bloody battle between raval bands of Mbochi and Lari, which went beyond the simple rivalry between the MSA and the UDDIA.[45] The riots officially resulted in a hundred deaths and hundreds of injuries and destroyed homes.[54] Only with the intervention of the French army on 20 February did the riots come to an end. This fighting marked the beginning of a fierce hostility between the Mbochi and Lari.[55]

Youlou took advantage of these events by arresting Opangault, accusing him of inciting the violence.[29][56] He was released five months later without ever facing trial.[56] In the meantime, Youlou ensconced himself in power, almost completely eliminating the parliamentary opposition. On 20 February 1959 he ordered the adoption of a constitution which gave expanded powers to the Prime Minister,[45] including the power to dissolve the Assembly.[56] In April 1959, the MSA suffered two further defections to the UDDIA.[57] On 30 April, Abbé finally dissolved parliament, after he had carefully redrawn the electoral districts.[58] On 14 June 1959, the UDDIA won 51 seats in the Assembly, with 58% of the vote. The MSA received only 10 seats.[58]

After these legislative elections, the Assembly became "National."[59] It confirmed Youlou in the role of Prime Minister and then, on 21 November, elected him President of the Republic of Congo.[59] Triumphant over his rivals in parliament, he curbed the inveterate Matswanists who still refused to consider him the reincarnation of Matswa.[45] From June to July 1959, they were hunted down, arrested and brutally subjugated - one source speaks of thirty deaths.[45]

Repression, seduction and submission

On 16 February 1960, in order to satisfy Congolese public opinion, the President of the Republic decided to sack the European members of the government.[60] These were the minister of Finance, Joseph Vidal; the minister of economic affairs, Henri Bru; and the Secretary of State for Information, Christian Jayle.[60] On the other hand, Youlou retained Alfred Delarue, his chief of service for "Documentation".[61] Delarue, a former official in the Prefecture of Police of Paris and a Vichy collaborator organised the elimination of the Congolese far-left, which had regrouped as the Confédération générale africaine des travailleurs (CGTA) and the Union de la jeunesse congolaise (UJC), for Abbé.[61] On 9 May 1960, on account of a fake "Communist plot", Youlou had the leaders of the CGTA and the UJC, Julien Boukambou and Aimé Matsika, arrested - along with his long-time opponent Simon Kikounga N'Got.[62] The next day, the Assembly passed a number of laws restricting fundamental rights.[62] Henceforth, any organised opposition to the government was illegal, as were publications encouraging such opposition.[62] Furthermore, these laws entitled Youlou to imprison or exile any individual considered dangerous to the stability of the regime.[62]

Despite Youlou's use of coercive measures against his adversaries, he was equally keen to bring them over to his side. On 17 June 1959, after his legislative victory, he called for national unity:

« Les élections du 14 juin n'ont pas été la victoire d'un parti ou d'un programme dans le sens qu'on lui donne en Europe ; elles marquent le début d'une unité nationale, qui ne pourra que se renforcer.[63] »
"The elections of 14 June were not the victory of one party or policy in the way they are in Europe; they mark the beginning of national unity, which can only grow stronger."

On 3 July, Youlou formed his second government, incorporating opposition politicians.[64] On 15 August 1960, Jaques Opangault was made a minister of state and vice-president of the council, highly symbolic positions.[29][65] Finally, in January 1961, Simon Kikounga N'Got received the portfolio of Economic Affairs.[62]

On 15 August 1960, the Republic of Congo became independent. A cult of personality progressively developed around the president, including notably the printing of stamps with his image on them. In the months following independence,[66] a motion of no confidence in his government was proposed in the Assembly.[63] Offended, Youlou pulled a revolver from his cassock in the middle of the Assembly and forced the impertinent deputies to retract the motion.[63] The affair was not repeated and on 2 March 1961, a new constitution was adopted; it created a strengthened presidential regime and established the independence of the executive and legislative branches: the Assembly could no longer depose the government and the President of the Republic could not dissolve the Assembly.[61]

On 20 March 1961, Fulbert Youlou was the UDDIA and MSA candidate in the presidential elections. He was re-elected without opposition, with 97.56% of the votes.[61] This victory marked for him the successful construction of national unity.[67] Henceforth he could devote himself entirely to economic development and social progress.[67]

Youlou's economic policy

Congolese stamp produced in 1907 by the colonial government.

Congo was one of the most economically profitable French colonies; between 1946 and 1959 a number of infrastructure projects were completed and some light industry established.[68] Thus, at independence, Youlou inherited a relatively healthy economy with 37.4% of GDP produced by the primary sector, 20.9% by industry and 41.7% in the tertiary sector.[69] Furthermore, in 1958 the Congo was home to 30,000 civil servants of varying qualification and more than 80,000 students.[70] This educational policy was strongly encouraged by Youlou who assigned 40% of the 1960 budget to education.[71]

Support for economic liberalism

The Congolese leader was a fierce supporter of economic liberalism. After he took power, he adopted a moderate policy, striving to attract investment in his country, as shown in a comment made on 8 December 1958:

« Nous sommes prêts à formuler toutes garanties pour que s'investissent sans crainte, et dans la plus grande confiance, les capitaux publics et privés sans lesquels il n'est pas possible de concevoir la mise en place de grandes sources d'énergie et des usines de transformations.[72] »
"We are willing to make every guarantee to ensure the investment, without fear and in the greatest confidence, of the public and private capital without which the establishment of great power sources and factories of transformation is impossible."

Between 1960 and 1963, the Congo registered 38 billion CFA francs gross of investment in its territory,[73] for a GDP estimated at 30 billion CFA francs in 1961.[74] Mineral resources alone attracted 21 billion CFA francs, with manganese exploited by the Compagnie minière de l'Ogooué (COMILOG) and potassium by the Compagnie des potasses du Congo (CPC).[73] Of the remaining 17 billion CFA francs, 3 billion (18%) were invested in the primary sector, 2.7 billion (15%) in industry, 6.3 billion (37%) in the tertiary sector, and 5 billion (30%) in non-economic programmes like education, health, urbanisation and housing.[75] Despite Youlou's liberal policies, only 5.5 billion (32%) of this 17 billion came from private capital; international aid (notably from France) supplied 7 billion (41%) and the Congolese government 4.5 billion (27%).[76]

In terms of the balance of trade, the situation seemed to improve during Youlou's presidency. Thus in 1960, the commercial deficit was 5.7 billion CFA francs and in 1963 it was down to 4.1 billion.[77] Each year Congolese exports (excluding diamonds) increased from 6.1 billion in 1960 to 7.9 billion in 1963.[77] Around half of this sum came from timber.[77] The products of light industry, such as sugar, made up more than a quarter of exports.[78] Furthermore, the commercial deficit was greatly reduced by transit tax.[79] Congo in fact derived significant revenue from its railroad and port infrastructure, which allowed it to serve neighbouring countries. In 1963 this transit brought Congo 2.3 billion CFA francs in revenue.[79]

Corruption and major projects

Youlou's administration was not very concerned about its budget deficit. Between 1960 and 1963, the deficit rose to 2.4 billion CFA francs.[80] France graciously financed 1.2 billion.[81] The rest was covered by advances from the French treasury.[81] To recover the financial situation, fiscal pressure rose from 17% of GDP in 1960 to 26% in 1963[80] while austerity measures were introduced in the administration: heads of civil service offices lost their official vehicles, travel expenses were no longer reimbursed and advances were blocked.[4] The President of the Republic, the ministers and the deputies were exempt from these measures.[4]

To make the government more representative of Congolese society, many ministerial appointments were made on the basis of regional origin rather than competence, creating problems for the country's development.[4] Furthermore, members of government were responsible for several financial scandals - Youlou most of all.[4] The Congolese head of state had an acute sense of staging; conscious that his religious appearance lent him political power, he continued to wear his religious garb and to employ the nickname "Abbé" (Abbot) as well as "Kiyunga" (the Lari word for "cassock").[82] It is reported that his wardrobe, which contained a full collection of cassocks in white, black, and red, was supplied by the famous fashion designer Christian Dior.[83] It is also reported that for an official visit to France, Youlou had 30 million CFA francs assigned for his personal expenses.[4] The national economy suffered as a result of this mismanagement of public funds. Economic growth was too modest to absorb high levels of unemployment exacerbated by rapid urbanisation.[84]

However, Congo possessed remarkable assets for its development.[85] In addition to its mineral wealth and its timber, the country had notable hydro-electric possibilities at Sounda, near Pointe-Noire, on the Kouilou-Niari river.[85] The construction of a dam on this site would enable the production of 8 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year and the development of heavy electro-metallurgic and chemical industry, offering significant employment.[86] Enthusiastic about this project, Youlou nevertheless faced two major problems: the incredible cost, estimated at 100 billion CFA francs[86] and the Congo's insufficient supply of bauxite, a key material for the project.[87] The Congolese leader attempted to remedy these issues through an active foreign policy.

A "moderate" foreign policy

By an anti-communist and pro-western policy, termed "moderate", Youlou attempted to attract foreign investment in his country.[45] From independence, he affirmed his desire to pursue a policy of co-operation with France and the other Francophone countries of Africa.[88] From 15 December to 19 December 1960, he held an intercontinental conference in the Congolese capital, which assembled the "moderate" Francophone heads of state.[45] At the end of this conference, the "groupe de Brazzaville" was created, an anti-communist block which was the ancestor of the African and Malagasy Union (OCAM).[45]

Sékou Touré, President of Guinea

Among the guests of this conference were the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Joseph Kasa-Vubu and the Katanga leader Moïse Tshombe.[89] Abbé undoubtedly brought them together in order to isolate the Congolese nationalist Patrice Lumumba, accused of communist sympathies.[89] Although he invited both, Youlou showed more support for the very controversial Tshombe than for Kasa-Vubu.[45] However, his counterpart in Léopoldville was a Kongo like him; they appeared at the time to cherish the hope of reuniting a massive Bakongo state.[45] Abbé took other controversial positions; although Angola was subject to violent colonial repression, he was the only leader to call for dialogue with the Portuguese dictator Salazar.[90]

Despite his visceral anti-communism, the President of the Republic sought to establish relations with the "revolutionary" Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea. He sought, in fact, Guinea's bauxite mines - essential for the Kouilou dam project.[91] Thus, in 1962 he travelled to Guinea.[91] On 5 and 6 June 1963, it was the turn of Sékou Touré to visit Congo, where he was acclaimed by militant unions and youth.[92] On the occasion of his trip, the Guinean leader made encouraging economic promises:

« La Guinée est riche en minerais et elle est disposée, je le dis, à mettre à disposition du Congo toutes les quantités de bauxite ou de fer nécessaires à la réalisation du Kouilou et plus tard à la rentabilité de l'usine qui sera construite.[92] »
"Guinea is rich in minerals and is disposed, I say, to put whatever amounts of bauxite and iron necessary for the completion of Kouilou and for the profitability of subsequent factories, at Congo's disposal."

Revolution of the 'Trois Glorieuses'

Even before independence, Congo-Brazzaville was effectively dominated by a single dominant party.[45] In August 1962, Fulbert Youlou announced his intention to institutionalise this one-party state « afin de sceller la réconciliation et l'unité nationale réalisées » (in order to increase reconciliation and achieve national unity).[93] He did not experience any opposition; on the contrary, the decision appeared to be enthusiastically received by the MSA leader Jacques Opangault.[93] In pursuit of this goal, a round table was organised for 3 August 1963, gathering the leaders of the three parties (UDDIA, MSA and PPC), the relevant unions, representatives in the National Assembly and leaders of the Congolese army.[94] Although not opposed to a one-party state in principle,[95] the unions refused to accept the system proposed by the head of state, on the grounds that they appeared to serve only Youlou's interests.[94][96]

General Charles de Gaulle.

In order to demonstrate their disapproval, the unions decided to organise an « arrêt de protestation » (protest strike) on 13 August at the Labour exchange in Brazzaville.[97] The day before this protest, in the night, Youlou had the principal union leaders arrested.[98] When this news was announced, the simple protest transformed into a true anti-governmental action.[99] The protestors planned to raid the prison in order to free the union leaders, leading to clashes with security forces.[100] Three unionists were killed.[101] When they finally succeeded, the arrested leaders could not by found.[101] The anti-governmental protest turned into a riot; the country was paralysed.[102] The French army co-operated with the Congolese forces in order to re-establish order.[102] That evening, Abbé instituted a curfew, declared a state of emergency and called for calm on the radio.[103]

The next day, around noon, the President of the Republic declared on the radio:

« En raison de la gravité de la situation, je prends en mon nom personnel les pouvoirs civils et militaires. Un comité restreint, placé sous l'autorité du chef de l'État, aura pour tâche le rétablissement de l'ordre, la reprise du travail et la mise en place des réformes qui s'imposent. »[104]
"On account of the gravity of the situation, I have taken up civil and military authority. A select committee under the authority of the Head of State will be charged with restoring order, returning people to work and instituting necessary reforms."

In the evening, the government was dissolved.[105] However, the ministers Jacques Opangault, Stéphane Tchitchéllé and Dominique Nzalakanda were retained in their roles.[105] On the announcement that the very unpopular Nzalakanda had been retained, the militant supporters of Youlou decided to join the protestors.[106] On the morning of 15 August, the mob marched on the Presidential Palace to demand Youlou's resignation.[106] Some bore placards saying « À bas la dictature de Youlou » (For the fall of Youlou's dictatorship) or « Nous voulons la liberté » (We want freedom).[107] The unionists managed to secure the sympathy of two captains of the Congolese army.[108] One of them, Captain Félix Mouzabakani was Youlou's nephew.[109] Youlou called de Gaulle and requested French assistance, asking that French troops near Brazzaville free the Presidential Palace, in vain.[110] Accepting the situation, Youlou announced his resignation as President of the Republic, Mayor of Brazzaville and Member of the National Assembly.[111]

The new regime dubbed the protests of 13, 14 and 15 August 1963 "revolutionary"[112] and named them the « Trois glorieuses » (Three Glorious Days).[112]

Forced retirement

Detention and exile

The evening of his resignation, the former President of the Republic was imprisoned at the "Fulbert Youlou" military camp.[113] A few weeks later he was transferred with his family to the "Djoué" army camp.[114] He appeared to be treated well.[114] But rapidly, the new socialist regime began a climate of terror.[115] Realising that Abbé's days were numbered, his successor as head of state, Alphonse Massamba-Débat, helped him to flee to Léopoldville on 25 March 1965.[115] The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Moïse Tshombe, immediately granted him political asylum.[115]

On 8 June 1965 a trial of Youlou by popular tribunal began in Congo-Brazzaville.[116] He was accused of misappropriation of public funds and of using a Heron war-plane which had been received from the French government for personal purposes.[117] Furthermore, he was held responsible for the death of the three unionists during the assault on the prison on 13 August 1963.[117] He was also charged with having supported the Katangan secession orchestrated by Moise Tshombe.[117] The court condemned him to death in his absence and ordered the nationalisation of all his property, notably a farm at Madibou and two luxury hotels in Brazzaville.[117] Abbé defended himself against these accusations by the publication of a book, J'accuse la Chine (I accuse China), really an anti-communist pamphlet, in 1966.

In November 1965, he expressed a desire for the French government to allow him to settle in Nice to receive medical care.[118] But the former Congolese leader was not in favour in Paris.[5] Yvonne de Gaulle, a fervant Catholic, did not like the eccentric priest,[5] who had continued to wear the cassock although defrocked,[17] and who openly publicised his polygamy (he had no less than four official wives).[22] Against the advice of General de Gaulle,[118] Youlou disembarked at Bourget[119] with his wives and children.[120] Despite the advice of his councillor for African Affairs Jacques Foccart, de Gaulle seriously considered returning him to Léopoldville.[120] Finally, Abbé was sent to Spain, where Franco's regime treated him well.[120] The French government put 500,000 francs at his disposal for him to maintain himself.[120]

Aborted coup d'etat and anathema

During this time, Congo-Brazzaville did not enjoy political stability. After protests by "Pro-Youlist" in February 1964, supporters of the former regime attempted a coup on 14 July 1966 and again in January 1967.[45] Eventually, the Marxist captain Marien Ngouabi succeeded Alphonse Massamba-Débat. Shortly after taking the presidency, he denounced the Youlist plots which were orchestrated by captain Félix Mouzabakani (Youlou's nephew) and Bernard Kolelas in February and November 1969.[121] On 22 March 1970, a Youlist coup d'État was attempted by lieutenant Pierre Kinganga, but it too failed.[122]

The socialist and revolutionary regime which succeeded Youlou held him responsible for all the country's problems.[122] His name was struck from public discourse.[122] It was in this atmosphere that Youlou died of hepititus in Madrid on 5 May 1972.[122] Immediately representatives of the Lari people called for the return of his body so that it could receive the necessary funerary rituals.[123] President Marien Ngouabi allowed this, in order to avoid the development of a Matswanist messianic movement around his image.[123] On 16 December 1972, after his remains had lain in state for three days in the Brazzaville Cathedral, they were interred in his home village of Madibou, without any official ceremony.[123] His memory was rehabilitated at the National Conference of 1991 which restored multi-party democracy in the Republic of Congo.[51][124]

Publications

References

  1. 1 2 In African Powder Keg: Revolt and Dissent in Six Emergent Nations, author Ronald Matthews lists Youlou's date of birth as 9 June 1917. This date is also listed in Annuaire parlementaire des États d'Afrique noire, Députés et conseillers économiques des républiques d'expression française (1962). Matthews (1966), p. 169; Annuaire parlementaire des États d'Afrique noire: Députés et conseillers économiques des républiques d'expression française, Paris: Annuaire Afrique, 1962, OCLC 11833110
  2. 1 2 In Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African-American Experience, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and K. Anthony Appiah list Youlou's date of birth as 17 June 1917. Appiah & Gates (1999), p. 2036
  3. 1 2 The Encyclopedia of World Biography by Gale Research Company lists Youlou's date of birth as 19 July 1917. Gale Research Company (1999), p. 466
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Boutet (1990), p. 62
  5. 1 2 3 Patrick Boman, Le Guide suprême : Petit dictionnaire des dictateurs, « Fulbert Youlou », Éditions Ginkgo, 2008, p.226
  6. ↑ Matthews (1966), p. 94
  7. ↑ Annuaire parlementaire des États d'Afrique noire, Députés et conseillers économiques des républiques d'expression française, Annuaire Afrique, 1962, p. 152
  8. 1 2 3 4 Boutet (1990), p. 21
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Boutet (1990), p. 45
  10. 1 2 3 Young (1999), p. 2036
  11. 1 2 3 Boutet (1990), p. 46
  12. 1 2 3 Mengisteab & Daddieh (1999), p. 162
  13. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 168
  14. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 170
  15. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 248
  16. ↑ Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 53
  17. 1 2 3 Catherine Coquery-Vidrovitch, Histoire africaine du XXe siècle, Éditions L'Harmattan, 1993, p.163
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 54
  19. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 245
  20. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 246
  21. ↑ "Failure of a Fetish", Time, 23 August 1963, retrieved 2 August 2008
  22. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 47
  23. 1 2 3 4 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 55
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 Bernault (1996), p. 240
  25. ↑ Jean Félix-Tchicaya, fiche biographique sur le site de l'Assemblée nationale
  26. 1 2 3 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 56
  27. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/Democratic-Union-for-the-Defense-of-African-Interests
  28. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 22
  29. 1 2 3 4 Gale Research Company (1999), p. 466
  30. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 251
  31. ↑ Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 57
  32. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 234
  33. ↑ Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 417
  34. ↑ Gondola, Ch. Didier (2002), The History of Congo, Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, p. 109, ISBN 0-313-31696-1, OCLC 49959456
  35. ↑ Albert M'Paka, Démocratie et société civile au Congo-Brazzaville, Éditions L'Harmattan, 2007 p.97
  36. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 263
  37. 1 2 3 Bernault (1996), p. 264
  38. ↑ Italiaander (1961), p. 170
  39. ↑ Daggs (1970), p. 324
  40. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 265
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 Bernault (1996), p. 278
  42. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 279
  43. 1 2 3 4 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 62
  44. ↑ Kouvibidila (2001), p. 34
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Decraene (1973), p. 891
  46. 1 2 3 4 Bernault (1996), p. 280
  47. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 26
  48. 1 2 3 4 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 63
  49. 1 2 3 Boutet (1990), p. 27
  50. ↑ Lentz (1994), p. 194
  51. 1 2 Clark (1997), p. 63
  52. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 288
  53. 1 2 3 Bernault (1996), p. 285
  54. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 287
  55. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 283
  56. 1 2 3 Boutet (1990), p. 28
  57. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 291
  58. 1 2 FBernault (1996), p. 293
  59. 1 2 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 64
  60. 1 2 Bernault (1996), p. 299
  61. 1 2 3 4 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 66
  62. 1 2 3 4 5 Bernault (1996), p. 308
  63. 1 2 3 Boutet (1990), p. 51
  64. ↑ Kouvibidila (2001), p. 43
  65. ↑ Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 418
  66. ↑ Bernault (1996), p. 344
  67. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 44
  68. ↑ Mbandza (2004), p. 142
  69. ↑ Gualbert-Brice Massengo, L'économie pétrolière du Congo, Éditions L'Harmattan, 2004, p.49
  70. ↑ Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 60
  71. ↑ Mbandza (2004), p. 232
  72. ↑ Placide Moudoudou, Droit administratif congolais, Éditions L'Harmattan, 2003, p.155
  73. 1 2 Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 67
  74. ↑ Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 65
  75. ↑ Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 73
  76. ↑ Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 78
  77. 1 2 3 Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 111
  78. ↑ Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 109
  79. 1 2 Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 116
  80. 1 2 Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 98
  81. 1 2 Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 99
  82. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 50
  83. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 63
  84. ↑ Amin & Coquery-Vidrovitch (1969), p. 144
  85. 1 2 Gilles Sautter, Congo-Brazzaville, In Encyclopédie Universalis, Tome 4, Édition 1973, p.893
  86. 1 2 Mbandza (2004), p. 144
  87. ↑ Mbandza (2004), p. 145
  88. ↑ "Pays du monde : Congo-Brazzaville," In Encyclopédie Bordas, Mémoires du XXe siècle, Édition 1995, Tome 17 « 1960-1969 »
  89. 1 2 Silvère Ngoundos Idourah et Nicole Dockes-Lallement, Justice et pouvoir au Congo-Brazzaville 1958-1992, Éditions L'Harmattan, 2001, p.44
  90. ↑ Boutet (1990), pp. 51–52
  91. 1 2 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 68
  92. 1 2 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 71
  93. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 55
  94. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 67
  95. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 65
  96. ↑ Terray (1964)
  97. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 69
  98. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 82
  99. ↑ Boutet (1990), pp. 88–89
  100. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 90
  101. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 91
  102. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 93
  103. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 94
  104. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 103
  105. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 104
  106. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 111
  107. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 112
  108. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 116
  109. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 115
  110. ↑ Philippe de Gaulle. Mémoires accessoires, 1947-1979, p.144
  111. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 122
  112. 1 2 Bazenguissa-Ganga (1997), p. 91
  113. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 126
  114. 1 2 Boutet (1990), p. 141
  115. 1 2 3 Boutet (1990), p. 161
  116. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 162
  117. 1 2 3 4 Boutet (1990), p. 163
  118. 1 2 Rémy Bazenguissa-Ganga. Rites et dépossessions. « Quand je vais à la chasse ou à la pêche, un président africain tombe ». Éditions Karthala, 2004. p.225
  119. ↑ « Youlou et les Chinois », Jeune Afrique, 12 février 1966.
  120. 1 2 3 4 Jacques Foccart, Journal de l'Élysée, Tome 1 : Tous les soirs avec de Gaulle (1965-1967), Fayard, Jeune Afrique, 1997, p.342
  121. ↑ Boutet (1990), p. 168
  122. 1 2 3 4 Boutet (1990), p. 169
  123. 1 2 3 Boutet (1990), p. 170
  124. ↑ Philippe Moukoko, Dictionnaire général du Congo-Brazzaville, « Fulbert Youlou », Éditions L'Harmattan, 1999, p.378

Bibliography

Political offices
Preceded by
Jacques Opangault		 Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo
1958–1959 		Succeeded by
Alphonse Massemba-Débat
post abolished, 1959–1963
Preceded by
(none)		 President of the Republic of the Congo
1960–1963 		Succeeded by
Alphonse Massemba-Débat
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