In 1959, during the run-up to decolonization, Poto-Poto was the scene of violence which touched off a major political conflict between northern and southern Congolese and which soon engulfed all of Brazzaville. During the June–October 1997 civil war, Poto-Poto was thoroughly looted by "Cobra" militiamen loyal to opposition leader Denis Sassou Nguesso and was shelled by forces loyal to President Pascal Lissouba.