Congo Republic Leader Secures Fourth Term in Landslide Vote Win

Denis Sassou Nguesso wins March 21 poll with 88% of vote
President face economic slump, debt burden during second term

Denis Sassou Nguesso casts his ballot at a polling station in Brazzaville, on March 21.Photographer: Alexis Huguet/AFP/Getty Images

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By Elie Smith

March 23, 2021 at 6:35 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Denis Sassou Nguesso won a fourth five-year term as president of the Republic of Congo after beating six other candidates in a March 21 election.

Sassou Nguesso, 77, secured 88% of the vote, Interior Minister Raymond Zephyrin Mboulou said in a statement on public broadcaster Television Congolaise. Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, who died on election day after contracting Covid-19 during the campaign, got 7% of the vote, followed by former Finance Minister Mathias Dzon with 5%.