Sassou-Nguesso wins Congo Republic election

Congo Republic’s President Denis Sassou-Nguesso has won another seven years in power in Africa’s fifth biggest oil producer after taking 78.6 percent of the vote in Sunday’s presidential election, the electoral commission said on Wednesday.

Turnout was low after an opposition boycott, observers said on Sunday. Sassou-Nguesso has been in and out of power since a 1979 coup. He won the last election in 2002, when his main rivals were banned or withdrew, citing irregularities.

Congo Republic’s oil output is about 220,000 barrels per day, but critics of the president say the majority of the country’s population of 3.7 million have not benefited. Sassou-Nguesso is one of three African presidents whose wealth is under investation by a French judge.

French energy firm Total is the biggest oil producer in Congo Republic, while Italy’s Eni is also a big investor.

Reuters.