The Republic of Congo marked its 56th independence anniversary on Sunday. The main activities took place at Madingou town, 300 kilometres outside Brazzaville in a bid to boost the economy of the town by luring potential investors there. President Hage Geingob attended the celebration to further strengthen the relations between the two countries that date back to Namibia’s pre-independence era. The Republic of Congo gained its independence from France in 1960, but saw a brief civil unrest in 1997. Thousands of Congolese regardless of their political affiliation, attended this year’s independence celebrations. Five opposition parties participated in a march-past, depicting the Congolese natural resources and economic gains. Dr Geingob described the event as the new Africa unfolding, in which national interest is placed above those of parties.