Opposition leader and presidential hopeful in the Republic of Congo, Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas has died on board just after landing at Orly Airport. The Congolese opposition presidential candidate died of COVID-19 in France, early Monday.
Kolelas who was one of the seven challengers to long-term President Denis Sassou N’Guesso was receiving oxygen at a private hospital after he tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday ahead of Sunday’s presidential polls.
“My dear compatriots, I am fighting against death, but nevertheless, I ask you to stand up. Go and vote for change. I would not have fought for nothing,” Kolelas said in a video message on Saturday while on a ventilator in a Congolese hospital.
Kolelas, 61 had skipped his final campaign event on Friday after telling reporters on Thursday that he feared he had malaria. His campaign manager Cyr Mayanda confirmed his death.
Congolese Constitution provides for a postponement if a candidate dies or is unable to participate in the vote. Kolelas came second to Sassou N’Guesso in the country’s 2016 presidential election with about 15% of the vote.
The Republic of Congo has 134 confirmed deaths and fewer than 10,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.