Gunfire, tear gas rock Congo anti-third term protests

Police have fired shots and tear gas in Congo’s capital, Brazzaville, in a clamp down on protests against the president’s bid for a third term. Texting and internet services have been cut and public meetings have been banned ahead of a controversial referendum on Sunday, residents said. The vote is aimed at pushing through changes […]

Police have fired shots and tear gas in Congo’s capital, Brazzaville, in a clamp down on protests against the president’s bid for a third term.
Texting and internet services have been cut and public meetings have been banned ahead of a controversial referendum on Sunday, residents said.
The vote is aimed at pushing through changes to the constitution such as scrapping age and two-term limits.
This would allow President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 71, to run for office again.
Nguesso first came to power in 1979 and ruling until 1992 when he lost elections. He returned as president in 1997 after a civil war and has since won two elections.
An opposition coalition had planned to hold a rally in the city centre to protest against the proposals to be put to a referendum on Sunday.
Angry youths have burnt tyres in Brazzaville’s Bacongo and Makelekele districts, sending plumes of smoke into the sky, the AFP reports.