Oil-rich yet not-so-rich, Congo-Brazzaville has had one man to contend with for over three decades of its political history.
Denis Sasssou Nguesso, 77, has frolicked in the country’s topmost office for years. While his earliest days came with oppositions, and a subsequent hiatus from the East African country’s Presidency, the last 23 years have been his for the taking.
Nguesso was Congo’s President between 1979 and 1992, before a 5-year hiatus saw him relegated in the affairs of the nation. He however made a powerful come back, was re-elected in 1997 and has been in the office ever since.
A 2015 referendum allowing more than two terms and banning the 70-year Presidential age limit has ensured Nguesso, like some other African Presidents, has the nation by the balls.
One of the longest serving leaders in the world, Nguesso seeks a fourth term after the coalition agreed to his ambition.
“Every party in the presidential majority opted, or will do so shortly, for President Sassou Nguesso’s candidacy,” said Pierre Moussa, acting chairman of the 17 parties in the coalition.
“The presidential majority believes that of all its leaders, it is President Sassou Nguesso who holds all the trump cards,” he told a press conference.
The election, billed for March 2021 is expected, this time, to come with less theatrics and bloodshed after the septuagenarian jailed his opposition in 2016 for 20 years.
Nguesso is expected to announce his candidacy and Presidential quest on the 19th of December in a nationwide address. He is also expected to announce the date for the elections in the address.