When Massamba-Débat was overthrown in 1968 Lissouba remained in government under Marien Ngouabi and although he was suspended from political activity from 1969 to 1971 he was on the Central Committee of the Congolese Workers Party in 1973.
Sospeso dall'attività politica tra il 1969 e il 1971, nel 1973 entrò a far parte del Comitato centrale del partito congolese dei lavoratori.