Tag Archives: Congo Republic

Regional

Congo’s Nguesso to rule beyond 40 years after re-election victory

Maravi Post Reporter

 

President Denis Sassou Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville is set to rule his country beyond four decades after securing a fourth term in office in this year’s presidential election.

He won re-election by a landslide, with 89% of the vote, according to the country’s interior minister.

The main opposition candidate Guy-Brice Parfait Kolélas – who died on Sunday after catching Covid-19 had 8%.

The turnout was 67.55% and elections this year were held in a peaceful atmosphere.

 

The 77-year-old Sassou Nguesso first came to power 1979 but had a five-year break after losing elections in 1992.

Nguesso was an opposition leader for five years and then came back to power during the Second Civil War (1997–1999) when his rebel forces ousted President Pascal Lissouba.

He has since been in power, winning all presidential elections held since 2002.

Nguesso supervised the change in constitution in a referendum in 2015 to remove term and age limits.

 

Since returning to power he has solidified his grip of the presidency with his victory in 2016 marred by violence and claims of fraud.

Here are four of Africa’s longest serving Presidents

Source: Africafeeds.com

 

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Regional

Internet shutdown in Republic of Congo as voters elect a president

Maravi Post Reporter

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The internet has been shutdown on the day of voting in the Republic of Congo as voters choose a new president.

Citizens can’t go online, send messages and make calls all in an attempt to prevent expression of opinions on the conduct of the polls via online.

The President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso is seeking to extend his 36-year rule in Sunday’s election.

Polls have already opened and voters are expected to approve of his stay in power although the country is facing many challenges including an economic crisis.

When Nguesso won the 2016 election, it was characterized by sporadic violence leading to the signing of an accord with opposition fighters the following year.

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There are hopes though that this year’s election will be held peacefully, without any incident.

Denis Sassou Nguesso is one of the longest serving presidents in Africa and has been president for the second streak since 1997.

He previously served as president from 1979 to 1992. He was defeated in a presidential election in 1992.

Nguesso who is 77 years was an opposition leader for five years and then came back to power during the Second Civil War (1997–1999) when his rebel forces ousted President Pascal Lissouba.

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He has since been in power, winning all presidential elections held since 2002.

The other contenders in Sunday’s election include Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, 60 who came in second to Sassou Nguesso in the last elections in 2016.

He is the only serious contender facing the president after a string of boycotts, withdrawn candidacies and exclusions.

Here are four of Africa’s longest serving Presidents

Source: Africafeeds.com

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