Congo leader promises referendum over third term

Congo-Brazzaville’s leader has said he will hold a referendum on whether to change the constitution to allow him to stand for a controversial third term. “I decided to give the people a direct voice,” said President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 72, who has ruled for more than 30 of the past 35 years. The proposals would […]

Congo-Brazzaville’s leader has said he will hold a referendum on whether to change the constitution to allow him to stand for a controversial third term.
“I decided to give the people a direct voice,” said President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 72, who has ruled for more than 30 of the past 35 years. The proposals would allow candidates aged over 70 to run for office and scrap the two-term limit. No date was given for the referendum, but elections are due next year.
The main opposition coalition is against the move, saying it could destabilise the country. It also complains that it will not have the same access to the media to voice concerns.
Mr Sassou Nguesso, one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers, was installed as president by the military in 1979 and lost the country’s first multi-party elections in 1992.
He returned to power in 1997 after a brief but bloody civil war, in which he was backed by Angolan troops, and has since won two elections.