Congo’s president Denis Sassou reelected for 5th term

The Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou N’Guesso has been reelected for a fifth consecutive term, according to provisional results announced Tuesday by the authorities. Sassou N’Guesso won 94,82 per cent of the vote, Interior Minister Raymond Zephirin Mboulou announced on state television. Six other candidates challenged the 82-year-old for the top job in the Central African country that boasts one of the largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa. The internet was shut down across the country as usual during the presidential election and traffic was restricted across the capital. Sassou N’Guesso, running for the Congolese Party of Labour, first came to power in 1979 and ruled until 1992, when he organised the country’s first multi-party elections. He returned to power as a militia leader following a four-month civil war in 1997. The campaign period showed a vast mismatch between Sassou N’Guesso and his opponents, with the incumbent being the only candidate to travel around the country to canvass for votes. Roads in the capital city, Brazzaville, were paved with Sassou N’Guesso’s effigies. Two other major parties boycotted the elections over allegations of unfair electoral practices. A constitutional referendum in 2015 removed presidential age and term limits, allowing him to run again. The country is struggling with high international debt, which stands at 94.5 per cent of its gross domestic product.