Congolese Youth Union
Encyclopedia
The Congolese Youth Union was a youth organization in Congo-Brazzaville. The U.J.C. was initially merely a local branch of the Republican Youth Union of France (U.J.R.F.), the youth wing the French Communist Party
. However it developed into an independent organization and began organizing cells in different parts of the territory. The movement established a sizeable presence in the cities of lower Congo, such as Point-Noire, Jacob
and Dolisie. U.J.C. was led by the trade union
leader Aimé Matsika.
The organization worked in close cooperation with the Confédération générale africaine du travail
trade union movement and the African Women's Union of Congo
. The U.J.C. statues were deposited with the authorities in 1956.
U.J.C. was a member organization of the World Federation of Democratic Youth
.
After independence U.J.C. was targeted by the government of Fulbert Youlou
, which labelled the organization as 'communist'. In March 1960 the National Assembly began preparing a law which would restrict the activities of U.J.C. and C.G.A.T. On May 9, 1960 Matsika and other U.J.C. leaders were arrested. By the time the offensive against U.J.C. and C.G.A.T. began, Youlou had already been able to corner the parliamentary opposition. In mid-August 1963, U.J.C. and C.G.A.T. took part in an uprising against Youlou's rule
, and together with the army they deposed the government. When a new military/civilian government was formed on Christmas Eve
1963, Matsika was included as Minister of Commerce and Industry.
In 1964 the National Movement of the Revolution (M.N.R.) was established as the sole legal political party
, with its own youth wing being the J.M.N.R.
French Communist Party
The French Communist Party is a political party in France which advocates the principles of communism.Although its electoral support has declined in recent decades, the PCF retains a large membership, behind only that of the Union for a Popular Movement , and considerable influence in French...
. However it developed into an independent organization and began organizing cells in different parts of the territory. The movement established a sizeable presence in the cities of lower Congo, such as Point-Noire, Jacob
Jacob
Jacob "heel" or "leg-puller"), also later known as Israel , as described in the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, the New Testament and the Qur'an was the third patriarch of the Hebrew people with whom God made a covenant, and ancestor of the tribes of Israel, which were named after his descendants.In the...
and Dolisie. U.J.C. was led by the trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
leader Aimé Matsika.
The organization worked in close cooperation with the Confédération générale africaine du travail
Confédération générale aéfienne du travail
The Confédération générale aéfienne du travail was a trade union centre in French Equatorial Africa. CGAT was founded in April 1957 by the Confédération générale du travail de Kamerun and CGT branches in French Equatorial Africa...
trade union movement and the African Women's Union of Congo
African Women's Union of Congo
The African Women's Union of Congo was a women's organization in Congo-Brazzaville. U.F.A.C. was closely associated with the Congolese Youth Union . U.F.A.C. largely failed to obtain a following beyond the milieus around U.J.C....
. The U.J.C. statues were deposited with the authorities in 1956.
U.J.C. was a member organization of the World Federation of Democratic Youth
World Federation of Democratic Youth
The World Federation of Democratic Youth is a progressive youth organization, recognized by the United Nations as an international youth non-governmental organization. WFDY describes itself as an "anti-imperialist, left-wing" organisation...
.
After independence U.J.C. was targeted by the government of Fulbert Youlou
Fulbert Youlou
Abbé Fulbert Youlou was a Brazzaville-Congolese Roman Catholic priest, nationalist leader and politician.-Early life:...
, which labelled the organization as 'communist'. In March 1960 the National Assembly began preparing a law which would restrict the activities of U.J.C. and C.G.A.T. On May 9, 1960 Matsika and other U.J.C. leaders were arrested. By the time the offensive against U.J.C. and C.G.A.T. began, Youlou had already been able to corner the parliamentary opposition. In mid-August 1963, U.J.C. and C.G.A.T. took part in an uprising against Youlou's rule
Trois Glorieuses (1963)
The Trois Glorieuses was an uprising in Congo-Brazzaville which occurred August 13–15, 1963. The uprising ended the rule of the first Congolese President, Fulbert Youlou, as the opposition trade union movement and Congolese Youth Union struck an alliance with the army.-Background:Congo-Brazzaville...
, and together with the army they deposed the government. When a new military/civilian government was formed on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
1963, Matsika was included as Minister of Commerce and Industry.
In 1964 the National Movement of the Revolution (M.N.R.) was established as the sole legal political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, with its own youth wing being the J.M.N.R.