Despite a degree of antipathy towards de Gaulle, Abbé Youlou supported the "Yes" vote in the referendum on the French Community on 28 September 1958, along with Tchicaya.
This position received 93% of the vote, thereby reinforcing Congo's autonomy.

On 28 November 1958, the Territorial Assembly met in session to grant institutions to the country.
The UDDIA and MSA were unable to agree on the shape the constitution should take.
The atmosphere was very tense; socialist sympathisers gathered around the government building.
The deputies exchanged insults as they arrived.
Finally the socialist deputies stormed out of the Assembly in protest, leaving the UDDIA with a majority.
Unconcerned, Youlou proclaimed the Republic on his own, passed constitutional laws, and converted the Territorial Assembly into a legislature.
By a unanimous vote of the 23 deputies present, Youlou was appointed head of the provisional government.
Since Oppangault kept calling for war, the political climate in Pointe-Noire became hostile and so Youlou transferred the capital to Brazzaville.

The opposition, headed by Oppangault, denounced this action as a constitutional coup d'État and promised to transform Brazzaville in a war zone.
The next day, the MSA deputies met alone in the Assembly in Pointe-Noire to declare the actions of Youlou's supporters illegal.
This act led to riots: houses were burnt, thousands of people were killed and many more wounded.
The French army was forced to intervene.
Despite a degree of antipathy towards de Gaulle, Abbé Youlou supported the "Yes" vote in the referendum on the French Community on 28 September 1958, along with Tchicaya. This position received 93% of the vote, thereby reinforcing Congo's autonomy.
On 28 November 1958, the Territorial Assembly met in session to grant institutions to the country. The UDDIA and MSA were unable to agree on the shape the constitution should take. The atmosphere was very tense; socialist sympathisers gathered around the government building. The deputies exchanged insults as they arrived. Finally the socialist deputies stormed out of the Assembly in protest, leaving the UDDIA with a majority. Unconcerned, Youlou proclaimed the Republic on his own, passed constitutional laws, and converted the Territorial Assembly into a legislature. By a unanimous vote of the 23 deputies present, Youlou was appointed head of the provisional government. Since Oppangault kept calling for war, the political climate in Pointe-Noire became hostile and so Youlou transferred the capital to Brazzaville.
The opposition, headed by Oppangault, denounced this action as a constitutional coup d'État and promised to transform Brazzaville in a war zone. The next day, the MSA deputies met alone in the Assembly in Pointe-Noire to declare the actions of Youlou's supporters illegal. This act led to riots: houses were burnt, thousands of people were killed and many more wounded. The French army was forced to intervene.
Fulbert Youlou