Republic of Congo’s president is re-elected

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo – Republic of Congo’s Constitutional Court has published final election results showing that President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, who has ruled for more than 30 years, has won re-election.

Results given by the head of the court, Auguste Iloki, show that Sassou N’Guesso won 60 percent of the March 20 vote, trailed by challenger Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas with 15 percent and Jean Marie Michel Mokoko with nearly 14 percent.

The court said about 69 percent of the more than 2 million eligible voters participated.

Iloki ruled against motions by the opposition contesting the election. The vote came five months after a constitutional referendum removed term and age limits that would have barred the 72-year-old leader from running again.

The final results on Monday came amid violence in Brazzaville, the capital.