Union for Democratic Renewal (Congo)
Encyclopedia
The Union for Democratic Renewal (Union pour la Renouveau Démocratique) was a coalition of political parties in the Republic of the Congo
. The coalition was led by Bernard Kolélas
, who was also the leader of the coalition's largest party, the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
(MCDDI). The URD parties supported the transitional government of Prime Minister André Milongo
(1991–1992) and opposed the National Alliance for Democracy (AND), which included the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy
(UPADS) and the Congolese Labour Party (PCT). In the parliamentary election
held in June–July 1992, the AND parties won a slight majority of seats in the National Assembly
and UPADS leader Pascal Lissouba
was victorious over Kolélas in the August 1992 presidential election
.
Following the 1992 parliamentary election, the seven URD parties held 40 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly. After Lissouba took office, he gave the PCT only a small portion of positions in the government, causing the PCT to break with Lissouba and ally with URD instead; therefore, the URD and PCT together gained a parliamentary majority, enabling it to force out the government appointed by Lissouba. Lissouba consequently dissolved the National Assembly and called for a new parliamentary election, and after protests occurred, Lissouba accepted the formation of a national unity government in the lead-up to the election, with most of its positions going to the URD and PCT. In the new election
, however, the pro-Lissouba alliance was victorious, and the URD and PCT alleged fraud.
Four members of the URD were included in the government of Prime Minister Joachim Yhombi-Opango
that was named on January 23, 1995. These included Col. Philippe Bikinkita as Minister of the Interior in charge of Security and Urban Development, along with three Minister-Delegates.
The Rally for Democracy and Social Progress
(RDPS) was part of the URD, as was the National Party (PANA), the Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress
(UPDP), and the Congolese Social Democratic Party (PSDC).
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
. The coalition was led by Bernard Kolélas
Bernard Kolélas
Bernard Bakana Kolélas was a Congolese politician and President of the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development...
, who was also the leader of the coalition's largest party, the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development
The Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development is a political party in the Republic of the Congo, led by Bernard Kolélas....
(MCDDI). The URD parties supported the transitional government of Prime Minister André Milongo
André Milongo
André Ntsatouabantou Milongo was a Congolese politician who served as Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo from June 1991 to August 1992. He was chosen by the 1991 National Conference to lead the country during its transition to multiparty elections, which were held in 1992...
(1991–1992) and opposed the National Alliance for Democracy (AND), which included the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy
Pan-African Union for Social Democracy
The Pan-African Union for Social Democracy is a political party in the Republic of the Congo, led by former president Pascal Lissouba....
(UPADS) and the Congolese Labour Party (PCT). In the parliamentary election
Republic of the Congo parliamentary election, 1992
Parliamentary elections were held in the Republic of the Congo in 1992, along with a presidential election, marking the end of the transition to multiparty politics. The election was held in two rounds, the first on 24 June 1992 and the second on 19 July 1992...
held in June–July 1992, the AND parties won a slight majority of seats in the National Assembly
National Assembly of the Republic of the Congo
The Parliament of the Republic of Congo has two chambers. The lower house is the National Assembly . It has 153 members, for a five year term in single-seat constituencies.-See also:...
and UPADS leader Pascal Lissouba
Pascal Lissouba
Pascal Lissouba was the first democratically elected President of the Republic of the Congo from August 31, 1992 to October 15, 1997. He was overthrown by the current President Denis Sassou Nguesso in the 1997 civil war....
was victorious over Kolélas in the August 1992 presidential election
Republic of the Congo presidential election, 1992
Presidential elections were held in the Republic of the Congo in August 1992, marking the end of the transitional period that began with the February–June 1991 National Conference...
.
Following the 1992 parliamentary election, the seven URD parties held 40 out of 125 seats in the National Assembly. After Lissouba took office, he gave the PCT only a small portion of positions in the government, causing the PCT to break with Lissouba and ally with URD instead; therefore, the URD and PCT together gained a parliamentary majority, enabling it to force out the government appointed by Lissouba. Lissouba consequently dissolved the National Assembly and called for a new parliamentary election, and after protests occurred, Lissouba accepted the formation of a national unity government in the lead-up to the election, with most of its positions going to the URD and PCT. In the new election
Republic of the Congo parliamentary election, 1993
Parliamentary elections were held in the Republic of the Congo on 2 May 1993, with a second round in several constituencies on 6 June. The result was a victory for the Presidential Tendency coalition, which won 65 of the 125 seats in the National Assembly....
, however, the pro-Lissouba alliance was victorious, and the URD and PCT alleged fraud.
Four members of the URD were included in the government of Prime Minister Joachim Yhombi-Opango
Joachim Yhombi-Opango
Jacques Joachim Yhombi Opango is a Congolese politician. He was an army officer who became Congo-Brazzaville's first general and served as Head of State of Congo-Brazzaville from 1977 to 1979. He is currently the President of the Rally for Democracy and Development , a political party, and served...
that was named on January 23, 1995. These included Col. Philippe Bikinkita as Minister of the Interior in charge of Security and Urban Development, along with three Minister-Delegates.
The Rally for Democracy and Social Progress
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress
The Rally for Democracy and Social Progress is a political party in the Republic of the Congo, founded by Jean-Pierre Thystère Tchicaya....
(RDPS) was part of the URD, as was the National Party (PANA), the Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress
Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress
The Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress is a political party in the Republic of the Congo...
(UPDP), and the Congolese Social Democratic Party (PSDC).