Cyrille Adoula

Who was Cyrille Adoula?

Cyrille Adoula, was a Congolese politician. Adoula was the premier of the Republic of the Congo, from August 2, 1961 until June 30, 1964.

Adoula was born in Léopoldville. A graduate of the Saint Joseph Institute and the first native African employee of the Congo Central Bank, Adoula, with Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Iléo, founded the Mouvement National Congolais in 1958. Formerly a senator, Adoula's reign was difficult, with the threat of civil war always near. Generally following the policies of former premier Lumumba, Adoula even had the same vice-premier:

Adoula attempted negotiation talks with Moise Tshombe, president of the secessionist Katanga province, but failed to reach any meaningful agreement. UN Secretary-General U Thant proposed a plan to end the secession of Katanga, but Tshombe made no moves to implement it. In response, Adoula demanded that the UN intervene, and place the plan into effect, by force if necessary — Tshombe surrendered on January 15, 1963.

In order to solidify his moderate stance of leadership, in July 1963 Adoula removed his cabinet ministers with the most extreme views, attempting to create a group with a balance of Katanga and Lumumbist members, and a few months later submitted a new federal constitution to the parliament. However, various rebellions continued, and Adoula resigned in 1964 to be replaced by Tshombe. He was then the ambassador to the United States and Belgium, and then became foreign minister from 1969 until 1970, when he retired from politics. He died in Lausanne, Switzerland.