This information is derived from the State Department's Office of Investment Affairs, Investment Climate Statement. Any questions on the ICS can be directed to EB-ICS-DL@state.gov

Multi-party democracy, established during the National Conference in 1991, went through a period of intense instability in the early 1990s that eventually led to the civil war that severely damaged Brazzaville and other Congolese cities from 1997-1999. The final peace accord was signed in 2003, and stability has generally returned. Opposition rallies turned violent in October 2015 against a referendum on a new constitution that would permit President Sassou to run for a third term as president. There were large-scale clashes and widespread civil unrest in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and several other cities throughout the southern part of the country, with reports of over a dozen deaths and significant damage to politicians’ properties. The government cut off internet and SMS communications for ten days in October 2015 during the referendum period and cut off all communications for four days in March 2016 during the presidential election period, which contributed to a greater air of uncertainty. After the referendum passed there were arrests of opposition supporters around the March 20, 2016 presidential elections. Election day itself was peaceful. The southern Brazzaville neighborhoods experienced violence just before the announcement of the election results by the Constitutional Court. On April 4, 2016 there were clashes between assailants and security forces, with sounds of heavy gunfire in the early morning hours, reportedly resulting in 17 deaths. Tens of thousands of people temporarily fled their homes heading to safety in the northern suburbs.
 

The political/security atmosphere has quieted since the referendum and election period concluded but concerns persist In recent months there has been a strong security presence in southern areas of Brazzaville and in the city of Pointe-Noire. Security operations in the Pool region surrounding Brazzaville since April 2016 have also caused people to flee their homes and there are widespread reports of a growing humanitarian crisis affecting the civilian population.

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