CONGO Republic President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected with more than 88% of the vote, official results showed on Tuesday, extending his 36 years leading the Central African oil producer despite a prolonged economic crisis.
His closest rival, Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, who died hours after the polls closed, received less than 8%. Kolelas was being evacuated to France to be treated for COVID-19 when he died.
Diplomats and political analysts had expected an easy victory for Sassou, 77, who has a firm grip on state institutions in the country of 5.4 million.
The main opposition party boycotted the vote and two of his other main rivals were convicted of crimes after the last election in 2016.
“It’s a feeling of great responsibility, especially toward young people,” Sassou, wearing a white button-down shirt emblazoned with his own face, told supporters in a victory speech.
Sassou is a former paratrooper
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