Sassou Nguesso confirms his participation in Congo-Brazzaville's March 20 election

President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, has announced his candidacy in the country’s presidential election on March 20.

He confirmed his participation on Friday, February 19, during a question and answer session with the youth of Kintele, a town in Brazzaville.

President Nguesso, who will be running for a third term in office, proceeded to lay the first stone for the construction of a university complex in Kintele, Brazzaville.

According to Africanews sources, the incumbent will launch his election campaign in Pointe-Noire, south of the country on March 4.

Denis Sassou Nguesso is one of Africa’s longest-serving rulers, first coming to power in 1979 and ruling until 1992 when he lost the elections. He returned as president in 1997 after a brief civil war and has since won two elections.