Republic of Congo: president declares himself candidate for elections

The Republic of Congo is set to vote for its next president on 12 and 15 March. Denis Sassou N’Guesso first became leader of the country in 1979, and then returned to power in 1997 after a five-year break due to war. He has been president ever since.

It cannot really be said that the announcement came as a complete surprise. For months, senior officials and party leaders have repeatedly asked the president to declare himself candidate in…