GENOCIDE        WATCH

For almost four decades, President Denis Sassou Nguesso has maintained power in Congo-Brazaville through undemocratic means. He briefly lost power in the country's first multi-party elections in 1992, but he regained power in 1997 following a deadly civil war. After attacks occured during the 2016 elections, President Nguesso blamed an former militia from the civil war, the "Ninjas." His government reacted by launching a war in the Pool region, where Ninja fighters were based. It targeted civilians who had no relations with the Ninjas and used scorched-earth tactics by destroying entire villages. The war triggered a major humanitarian crisis. Additionally, Baka and Bayaka "Pygmies," who are indigenous hunter-gatherer groups, face severe marginalization and persecution. Notably, non-consensual international conservationist efforts have led in part to the destruction of their culture and livelihoods, with forest rangers abusing them and preventing them from using their lands.