By Jerry Nguwa
Nairobi, July 13 2009

News from Brazzaville reaching our desk confirms earlier reports that tension is high in the city following the call by the opposition to boycott the elections results citing foul play by the Government.

Congolese went to the polls yesterday. President Sassou Ngu'eso was facing six contenders to his presidency. But before the end of the exercise, the opposition already called for boycott. They cited poor turnout and some malpractices by electoral officials. Foreign observers are also scheduled to call a press conference anytime from now on the same.

Never won elections

It's important to note that President Ngu'esso has never been elected by the Congolese people. He first came to power in 1979 following a coup that put him in power for twenty one years.

In 1992, Nguesso was snatched the presidency he cherished so much by a pro American opposition leader named Pascal Lisuba. Lisuba won fairly and transparently elections that year. He ruled for only five years of his seven years mandate.

France 's thirst of regaining control

Avid of reclaiming the control its former colony discovered by Savrogan de Brazza , France backed once again Denis Sassou Nguesso 1997 to seize power militarily. The French government also supplied weapons secretely to another Lisuba's opponents, Bernard Kolela.

After intense battles in the capital city Brazzaville , Nguesso regained power sending Lisuba in exile. The battle caused casualities on the other side of the river Congo in Kinshasa . The situation not only deteriorated Nguesso's relations with Laurent Desiré Kabila but also Kabila's relations with France .

Obstruction of justice

To wash his name, Sassou Nguesso organised flawed elections in 2002. The results were highly contested the world over. But that didn't deter France from supporting their most favourite African ally the late Bongo put aside.

Sassou Nguesso is involved in scandal revealed by Human rights groups accusing some African leaders of misappropriation of funds to build their own empires. Though the evidences were clear, the French justice system has refused to prosecute Nguesso. The late Gabonese president also was involved but he died without facing justice.

Knowing that Nguesso is one of the "Super glue" African Presidents, we will just wait to see what's cooking in Brazzaville.

http://www.hapamedia.net/news/news_nguesso.php