As Sassou Nguesso consolidated power, PCT factionalism was less pronounced during the 1980s, although internal power struggles continued. Jean-Pierre Thystère Tchicaya, a leftist ideologue who was one of the PCT's top-ranking leaders, was accused of organizing a bomb plot and removed from the leadership at the 1984 party congress. A powerful faction in the party, led by François-Xavier Katali, favored a hard-line pro-Soviet position; Sassou Nguesso was able to marginalize the Katali faction at the 1984 congress. Katali was demoted to a minor government ministry, but suffered no further punishment; when he died of a heart attack in 1986, he was considered a national hero.
As Sassou Nguesso strengthened his control, factionalism within the PCT became less prominent during the 1980s, though internal power struggles persisted. Jean-Pierre Thystère Tchicaya, a prominent leftist leader, was accused of orchestrating a bomb plot and was removed from the party leadership during the 1984 congress. Another influential faction, led by François-Xavier Katali, advocated for a staunch pro-Soviet stance, but Sassou Nguesso managed to sideline this group at the same congress. Katali was reassigned to a less significant government role but faced no further repercussions; upon his death from a heart attack in 1986, he was honored as a national hero.
During the 1980s, Sassou Nguesso's consolidation of power led to a decrease in the visibility of PCT factionalism, although internal power struggles persisted. Jean-Pierre Thystère Tchicaya, a prominent leftist leader within the PCT, faced accusations of organizing a bomb plot, resulting in his removal from leadership at the 1984 party congress. A significant faction supporting a hard-line pro-Soviet stance, led by François-Xavier Katali, was marginalized by Sassou Nguesso during this congress. Katali was reassigned to a less influential government position but did not face severe repercussions. Following his death from a heart attack in 1986, he was posthumously regarded as a national hero.
In the 1980s, as Sassou Nguesso consolidated power, PCT factionalism became less visible, but internal power struggles continued. Jean-Pierre Thystère Tchicaya, a leading leftist figure in the PCT, was accused of being involved in a bomb plot and was expelled from leadership at the 1984 party congress. A large group of hard-line pro-Soviet supporters, headed by François-Xavier Katali, was pushed to the margins by Sassou Nguesso at this congress. Katali was moved to a lower-level government post but did not suffer major consequences. He was posthumously honored as a national hero after his death from a heart attack in 1986.
In the 1980s, Sassou Nguesso's consolidation of power resulted in a reduction of PCT factionalism, but internal power struggles continued. Jean-Pierre Thystère Tchicaya, a leading leftist in the PCT, was accused of plotting a bombing, and was ousted as party leader at the 1984 congress. A large group of hard-line pro-Soviet supporters, headed by François-Xavier Katali, was sidelined by Sassou Nguesso at this congress. Katali was transferred to a less powerful government job, but was not severely punished. After his death from a heart attack in 1986, he was posthumously hailed as a national hero.