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Thousands of people gathered on a main street in Congo-Brazzaville‘s capital on Friday for the final campaign rally of 82-year-old President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Nguessou is contesting yet again in a presidential election expected to extend his more than four-decade rule. Six candidates are vying to unseat Sassou Nguesso in the election scheduled for Sunday.
The 82-year-old, who is one of Africa’s oldest and longest-serving presidents, first ruled the country under a one-party system from 1979 to 1992, then lost the first multi-party presidential election. He overthrew the winner of that election in a civil war in 1997.
Dressed in a white shirt bearing his own portrait, he vowed to “clean up public life” by holding inquiries and making “examples” of people on Friday.
“Shame on the thieves, shame on the corrupters and shame on the corrupted!” he declared, while the crowd of supporters cheered him on.
He promised to develop the industrial and agricultural sectors and launch infrastructure projects to address youth unemployment at Friday’s rally.
A civil servant, who was present at the rally, told AFP that she was there on sufferance.
“I’m here because I have to be. Everything here depends on who you know contacts — getting a job, getting a passport, and so on — but to be honest, my heart isn’t in it. We’re being suffocated,” she confided.
A mechanic told AFP that he is a staunch supporter of the 82-year-old.
“He’s here. That’s fine. We’re happy with him. But we want jobs for young people,” said Rodney, who wore a t-shirt with Nguesso’s image.
Analysts have said Sassou Nguesso faces the risk of a low voter turnout.
