FOREIGN
RELATIONS
For
the two decades preceding Congo's 1991 National Conference, the
country was firmly in the socialist camp, allied principally with
the Soviet Union and other Eastern bloc nations. Educational,
economic, and foreign aid links between Congo and its Eastern
bloc allies were extensive, with the Congolese military and security
forces receiving significant Soviet, East German, and Cuban assistance.
France,
the former colonial power, maintained a continuing but somewhat
subdued relationship with Congo, offering a variety of cultural,
educational, and economic assistance. The principal element in
the French-Congolese relationship was the highly successful oil
sector investment of the French petroleum parastatal Elf-Aquitaine,
which entered the Congo in 1968 and has continued to grow.
After the worldwide collapse of communism and Congo's adoption of multi-party democracy in 1991, Congo's bilateral relations with its former socialist allies have become relatively less important. France is now by far Congo's principal external partner, contributing significant amounts of economic assistance, while playing a highly influential role. However, there is a growing interest in attracting American investors.
Congo is a member of the United Nations, African Union, African Development Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC), Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC), International Coffee Organization, Economic Community of Central African States ECCAS/CEEAC), INTERPOL, the Nonaligned Movement, and the Group of 77. Congo holds a seat on the United Nations Security Council during 2006-2007. In January 2006, President Sassou-Nguesso was elected Chairman of the African Union.
U.S.-CONGOLESE
RELATIONS
Diplomatic
relations between the United States and Congo were broken during
the most radical Congolese-Marxist period, 1965-77. The U.S. Embassy
reopened in 1977 with the restoration of relations, which remained
distant until the end of the socialist era. The late 1980s were
marked by a progressive warming of Congolese relations with Western
countries, including the United States. Congolese President Denis
Sassou-Nguesso made a state visit to Washington in 1990, where
he was received by President George H.W. Bush.
With the advent of democracy in 1991, Congo's
relations with the United States improved and were cooperative.
The United States has enthusiastically supported Congolese democratization
efforts, contributing aid to the country's electoral process.
The Congolese Government demonstrated an active interest in
deepening and broadening its relations with the United States.
Transition Prime Minister Andre Milongo made an official visit
to Washington in 1992, where President Bush received him at
the White House.
Then-presidential candidate Pascal Lissouba
traveled to Washington in 1992, meeting with a variety of officials,
including Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Herman
J. Cohen. After his election in August 1992, President Lissouba
expressed interest in expanding U.S.-Congo links, seeking increased
U.S. development aid, university exchanges, and greater U.S.
investment in Congo. With the outbreak of the 1997 war, the
U.S. Embassy was evacuated. The Embassy was closed, and its
personnel became resident in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of
the Congo.
In 2001 Embassy-suspended operations were lifted, and Embassy personnel were allowed to travel to Brazzaville for periods of extended temporary duty from the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. As a result, U.S.-Congo bilateral relations were reinvigorated. In 2003 and 2004 this practice continued, and a site for construction of a new Embassy was acquired in July 2004. Construction is well underway on the New Embassy Compound, with a scheduled completion in February 2009. Embassy Brazzaville now operates from temporary offices in a commercial bank building in downtown Brazzaville. Relations between the United States and the government of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso are strong, positive, and cooperative.
Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Alan W. Eastham
Deputy Chief of Mission--Cynthia Gregg
Management Officer--Marcia Oshinaike
Consular/Economic Officer--Kelly Daniel
Office Manager--Ina Erickson
The U.S. Embassy accredited to Congo is located at BDEAC Building, 4th Floor, Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo (tel: 242-81-14-80; fax: 243-81-5324).
