Following an announcement from The Office Of The President on Thursday, April 13 that President Adama will be traveling to Congo Brazzaville on a two day ‘Friendly’ visit, information has been received that he has arrived in Brazzaville earlier today.
President Barrow whose visit COULD be a private one, is said to have traveled without his foreign minister and other key ministers in his Government. He is expected to return to Banjul Sunday, April 16.
Meanwhile, here is what you need to know about Congo Brazzaville and President Denis Sassou Nguesso. This information is according to internet search.
Civil wars and militia conflicts have plagued the Republic of Congo, which is sometimes referred to as Congo-Brazzaville.
Nearly half the population lives in poverty, according to the World Bank, even though the Republic of Congo is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s main oil producers.
Oil is the mainstay of the economy and in recent years the country has tried to increase financial transparency in the sector.
Government respect for press freedom is “limited” in the Republic of Congo, says US-based Freedom House.
A press law provides for jail terms for incitement to violence and racism. News broadcasts on state-run radio and TV generally reflects the government line.
The newspapers in capital Brazzaville are all privately-owned, and some criticize the government, however.
President Denise Sassou Nguesso has been the President of the Republic of the Congo since 1997; he was previously President from 1979 to 1992. During his first period as President, he headed the single-party régime of the Congolese Party of Labour (PCT) for 12 years. Under pressure from international sources, he introduced multiparty politics in 1990 and was then stripped of executive powers by the 1991 National Conference, remaining in office as a ceremonial head of state. He stood as a candidate in the 1992 presidential election but was defeated, placing third.
Sassou Nguesso was an opposition leader for five years before returning to power during the Second Civil War (1997-1999), in which his rebel forces ousted President Pascal Lissouba. Following a transitional period, he won the 2002 presidential election, which involved low opposition participation; he was re-elected in the 2009 presidential election.[1] The introduction of a new constitution, passed by referendum in 2015, enabled Sassou Nguesso to stand for another term. He was re-elected in the 2016 presidential election with a majority in the first round.
Sassou Nguesso is backed by a variety of political parties, most importantly the PCT. He is the President of the PCT Central Committee.
