After three relatively peaceful but coup-ridden decades of independence, the former French colony experienced the first of two destructive bouts of fighting in 1993 when disputed parliamentary elections led to bloody, ethnically-based fighting between pro-government forces and the opposition.

OVERVIEW

A ceasefire agreement followed by the inclusion of some opposition members in the government helped to restore peace.

But in 1997 ethnic and political tensions exploded into a full-scale civil war, fuelled in part by the prize of the country's offshore oil wealth, which motivated many of the warlords.

The army split along ethnic lines, with most northern officers joining President Denis Sassou-Nguesso's side, and most southerners backing the rebels. These were supporters of the former president, Pascal Lissouba, and his prime minister, Bernard Kolelas, who had been deposed by President Sassou-Nguesso in 1997.

By the end of 1999 the rebels had lost all their key positions to the government forces, who were backed by Angolan troops. The rebels then agreed to a ceasefire accord.

Remnants of the civil war militias, known as Ninjas, are still active in the southern Pool region. Most of the rebels have yet to disarm and many have turned to banditry.

Congo is one of sub-Saharan Africa's main oil producers. The resource is the mainstay of the economy and the country has tried to increase financial transparency in the sector.

FACTS

• Population: 3.9 million (UN, 2005)
• Capital: Brazzaville
• Area: 342,000 sq km (132,047 sq miles)
• Major languages: French, indigenous African languages
• Major religions: Christianity, indigenous African beliefs
• Life expectancy: 51 years (men), 53 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 1 CFA (Communaute Financiere Africaine) franc = 100 centimes
• Main exports: Oil, timber, plywood, sugar, cocoa, coffee, diamonds
• GNI per capita: US $650 (World Bank, 2005)
• Internet domain: .cg
• International dialling code: +242

LEADERS

President: Denis Sassou-Nguesso

Denis Sassou-Nguesso began a seven-year term in March 2002 after winning presidential elections in which two of his main rivals - former President Pascal Lissouba and former Prime Minister Bernard Kolelas - were excluded by a residency law.

President Sassou-Nguesso

A third contender - Andre Milongo - pulled out alleging irregularities. The vote was preceded by a referendum on a new constitution which gave the president wide-ranging powers.

Born in 1943, Denis Sassou-Nguesso first seized power in a coup in 1979, only to lose it in the country's first multi-party elections in 1992 which were won by Pascal Lissouba.

He returned to power in 1997 after a brief but bloody civil war in which he received the backing of Angolan troops.

A French-trained paratroop colonel, Mr Sassou-Nguesso is seen as a pragmatist. During his first presidency in 1979-92 he loosened the country's links with the Soviet bloc and gave French, US and other Western oil companies roles in oil exploration and production.

He abandoned the one-party system in 1992, making the ruling Congolese Workers Party (PCT) fight for its political life after more than 20 years as the sole party.