The Republic of the Congo (French: République du Congo) is an independent republic established following the independence granted to the former colony of the Belgian Congo in 1960.

The country's post-independence name remains only until August 1, 1964, when it is changed to Democratic Republic of the Congo, to distinguish it from the neighboring Republic of the Congo, formerly French Congo.

Unrest and rebellion plague the government until 1965, when Lieutenant General Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, by now commander-in-chief of the national army, seizes control of the country.

In 1971, Mobutu changes the country's name to Zaire, and remains its president until 1997.