Congo (Vol 13, 2016)
in Africa Yearbook OnlineSearch for other papers by Brett L. Carter in
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(2,794 words)
On 20 March, citizens in the Republic of Congo were called to the polls to elect a new president. Few participated, for no one believed the election would be free and fair. President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s government announced his ‘victory’ in the early hours of 24 March, when it calculated that most citizens in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire would be asleep. The election was Sassou Nguesso’s third since reclaiming power following the 1997 civil war, and the new constitution, passed in October 2015, left him poised to serve at least another three terms. The election elicited widespread protests across the country, which culminated in citizens setting fire to a government building in Brazzaville on 4 April. In retaliation, the government arrested scores of civil society activists and launched a military campaign against the Pool region, outside Brazzaville, which continued through the year. As Western governments condemned the electoral process and subsequent government violence, Sassou Nguesso intensified his diplomatic offensive in Beijing. As global oil prices remained low, the government confronted a financial crisis, with gdp growth falling to 1.7% and external debt rising to 77% of gdp.
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Congo (Vol 13, 2016)
in Africa Yearbook OnlineSearch for other papers by Brett L. Carter in
Current site
Google Scholar
(2,794 words)