The world has turned a blind eye to Denis Sassou Nguesso\u2019s controversial re-election, which will extend his iron-fisted reign to more than 40 years<\/p>
The result of last month\u2019s presidential election in Congo-Brazzaville brought no surprises. After 36 years in power, Denis Sassou Nguesso, 77, clinched 88% of the vote with a turnout of more than 67%. Accusations of vote irregularities, including ballot box stuffing, were widespread. His closest rival, who had urged for a \u201cvote for change\u201d died of Covid on the day of the vote<\/a>.<\/p> Television showed a triumphant Sassou at home with his smiling henchmen, as the interior minister, Raymond Z\u00e9phirin Mboulou \u2013 instead of the head of the electoral commission \u2013 announced the win. The question now is whether or not the African Union, the US, the EU, the UK and former colonial power France will simply turn a blind eye to another disputed election result while Congolese are dying from extreme poverty?<\/p> An election brings legitimacy, even if it is as blatantly see-through an exercise as the emperor wearing his new clothes<\/p> Related: <\/span>\u2018Large-scale human rights violations\u2019 taint Congo national park project<\/a> <\/p> Continue reading...<\/a>\n