Congo on Wednesday dismissed accusations in the “Pandora Papers” global exclusive which said President Denis Sassou Nguesso had used an offshore company to stash away assets.
Government Spokesman Thierry Moungalla disclosed that “the Congolese government denies with the utmost firmness any involvement by President Sassou in the Pandora Papers, either personally or in his official capacity,”
“President Sassou reserves the right to prosecute anyone who reiterates these accusations without providing any supporting evidence.”
According to the inquiry led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), Sassou Nguesso features among several hundred political figures such as Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who use offshore tax havens to store away assets, this is based on nearly 12 million documents leaked from financial services companies.
The inquiry said that Sassou Nguesso had an offshore account in the British Virgin Islands for nearly 20 years.
President Sassou Nguesso who took over the helm of power in 1979 has been in power for an accumulated 37 years as one of the world’s longest-serving leaders, Sassou Nguesso.
Critics have accused him of authoritarian rule and turning a blind eye to corruption, poverty and inequality despite the country’s oil wealth.
He was re-elected in March with 88.4 per cent of the vote, after a ballot boycotted by the main opposition.