By Cynthia Nabwire
Feb, 11th 2021 – The court in Congo Brazzaville is in possession of eight names submitted for presidential aspirants. The court is now expected to validate the names ahead of the March 21st elections.
President Denis Sassou will face seven challengers including the former finance minister, Mathias Dzon, and Guy-Brice Parfait, the son of a former prime minister.
Mr. Sassou will be seeking a fourth term in office in this year’s elections. The 77-year-old came to power in 1979 followed by a five year break after losing elections in 1992. He came back to power during the Second Civil War 1997-1999 after being an opposition leader for five years. This is following the ouster of President Pascal Lissouba. He has been winning all the presidential elections since 2002.
The largest opposition group, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS), has said it will boycott the polls. The constitution was changed in a referendum in 2015 to remove term and age limits. Mr Sassou Nguesso’s victory in 2016 was marred by violence and claims of fraud.
According to the first secretary of the opposition group UPADS, Pascal Tsaty Mabiala, the group will take part in the election. He said, “We have unanimously decided not to take part in it, either directly, or by a proxy candidate.”
The other aspirants in the presidential race are Deve Mafoula, Albert Oniangue, Joseph Kignoumbi Kia Mbougou, and Mboussi Ngouari.
The elections have been set for the 21st of March 2021.