If Pointe-Noire is hit, the result will be the destruction of Congo. Pointe-Noire is the only remaining refuge. He expressed deep regret that foreign governments and media were ignoring the tragedy overtaking his nation. The region has had strong links with France since the expeditions by Italian-born French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza in the 1870s. Congo gained full independence from France in 1960, but has had a troubled political history since, including several coups d'etat.
Oil is the main export.
Denis Sassou Nguesso seized power in October 1997 after a five-month civil war. Since then the ex-prime minister, Bernard Kolelas, has lived in exile. However, observers have pointed out that the conflict is rapidly becoming an ethnic war, as has happened in other nations in central Africa. The pastor told ENI that after rebel forces took up arms in December, the Cobras had engaged in various atrocities against thousands of people in Brazzaville and nearby. In a church in the capital, people at prayer had been rounded up by the Cobras, and 16 laymen and a pastor were killed.