Trois Glorieuses (1963)

The Trois Glorieuses (Three Glorious Days) 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.

Congo-Brazzaville had become independent in 1960. The rule of the first president, Fulbert Youlou, developed in an authoritarian direction. During a tour of Haut-Congo in August 1962, Youlou proposed turning Congo into a one-party state, led by his party UDDIA. At the time, other political parties had ceased to function as an effective opposition, whilst the trade union movement CGAT and the Congolese Youth Union (two groups singled out by Youlou as 'communists') had suffered crackdowns.

By mid-1963, the Congolese labour movement had become increasingly vocal. A state visit by the Guinean president, Sékou Touré, June 5–6 proved a turning point. During Touré's visit, trade unions and youth movements held protests, hailing Touré and ridiculing Youlou. Later, a united front of trade union centres was formed. On July 2, 1963, two joint trade union committees were formed, one of them consisting of CGAT, CSAL and CATC. In protest against the proposal to install a one-party rule, the trade unions called for a general strike on August 13, 1963.

Protests began on August 12, consisting of workers and unemployed. The rallyists called for raised salaries, and for the release of detained labour activists. Soldiers opened fire on the crowd, killing three trade unionists. The rallies turned into violent riots. Houses were sacked, and a follower of Youlou killed.

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