Fulbert Youlou
| Fulbert Youlou | |
|---|---|
Fulbert Youlou in 1963
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| 1st President of Republic of the Congo | |
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In office 15 August 1960 – 15 August 1963 |
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| Preceded by | None |
| Succeeded by | Alphonse Massemba-Débat |
| 2nd Prime Minister of the Republic of the Congo | |
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In office 8 December 1958 – 21 November 1959 |
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| Preceded by | Jacques Opangault |
| Succeeded by | Post abolished, 1959–1963; Alphonse Massemba-Débat |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
19 July 1917 Madibou, Moyen-Congo |
| Died | 6 May 1972 (aged 54) Madrid, Spain |
| Nationality | Congolese |
| Political party | Democratic Union for the Defence of African Interests |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Abbé Fulbert Youlou (9 June, 17 June or 9 July 1917 – 6 May 1972) was a laicized Brazzaville-Congolese Roman Catholic priest, nationalist leader and politician, who became the first President of Congo-Brazzaville on its independence.
Abbé Fulbert Youlou was one of the most controversial people in Congo-Brazzaville, to the point that for decades he was subject to anathema in his country. However, from the beginning, "Abbé" was viewed by his fellow citizens as a sort of man sent by providence. In August 1960, he led his country into independence. In December 1960 he organised a major intercontinental conference in Brazzaville, in the course of which he praised the advantages of economic liberalism and condemned communism. Three years later, economic prosperity has still not been achieved, but the government had slipped into insolent pomp. Youlou had disappointed the "moderates". His decision to impose a single party system and imprison union leaders in August 1963 was the key factor leading to the revolution of the "Trois Glorieuses." Charles de Gaulle despised him and France refused to assist him.
Almost completely isolated, the old priest resigned from power, leaving behind a reputation for eccentricity, authoritarianism and corruption.
Youlou whose last name means "Grape" in Lari, was born on 9 June 1917 in Madibou in Pool. A younger child in a family of three boys, he was a Lari of the Kongo. At nine years old, he was baptised and received the Christian name Fulbert. In 1929 he entered the Petit Séminaire of Brazzaville. A brilliant student, he was sent to Akono in Cameroon, to complete his secondary studies. After this, he entered the Grand Séminaire of Yaoundé where he seemed to show great talent for philosophy. Here he met Barthélemy Boganda, the future nationalist leader of Oubangui-Chari and the first president of the Central African Republic but also Andre-Marie Mbida, Cameroon's first head of state.
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