U.S. congratulates Congo on 56th Independence anniversary

The United States of America has extended anniversary felicitations to the Republic of Congo as the country marked its 56th Independence anniversary yesterday.

A statement from the United States (U.S.) Department of State read, ‘‘On behalf of President Barack Obama and the American people, I send best wishes to the people of the Republic of Congo as you celebrate your 56th Independence Day on August 15.”

The U.S. emphasised its continued partnership with Congo in defense of regional security, environmental protection and the health and happiness of all Congolese.

The U.S. further that it looked ‘‘forward to continued partnership to help build a more secure, democratic and prosperous future for Congo in the year ahead.”

The anniversary parade was well attended by heads of state largely from francophone Africa. Among others Ivorian Speaker of Parliament Guillaume Soro; Benin president Patrice Talon; Teodoro Obiang Nguema of Equatorial Guinea and Alpha Conde of Guinea were all present at the anniversary celebration.

The country currently ruled by Denis Sassou Nguesso got their independence from France in 1960. Its first president was Fulbert Youlou. The country has had a difficult past mired by violent wars.

It returned to multi-party democracy in the early 1990s. The Congolese Labour Party led by incumbent Sassou Nguesso dominated the political landscape since then. The party won the recent elections by over 60 per cent of votes cast.