The Republic of Congo's main opposition candidate Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas died as he was being transferred to France for treatment for Covid-19, his campaign director told AFP Monday, a day after presidential elections were held.
Kolelas "died in the medical aircraft which came to get him from Brazzaville on Sunday afternoon", said Christian Cyr Rodrigue Mayanda.
Kolelas was being evacuated to France for treatment when he passed away. He first tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday and fell seriously ill. He spent election day in hospital.
In a video that circulated on social media, 61-12 months-antique Kolelas, who became diabetic, could be visible in brief getting rid of an oxygen mask to inform his supporters that he is "combating dying".
"Rise up as one person ... I'm fighting on my deathbed. You, too, fight on your exchange," he urged his supporters, saying the election become "about the destiny of your children".
Kolelas changed into considered one of six applicants jogging against Denis Sassou Nguesso, seventy seven, and changed into visible as the principle opposition candidate. He became the runner-up in 2016's presidential election and has been extensively seen as the main political danger to Sassou Nguesso, who has lead the imperative African u . S . A . For a total of 36 years since 1979.
Provisional election effects are not predicted for days however Sassou Nguesso was widely expected to win re-election.
Concerns over internet blackout
Critics inclusive of Congo's influential Catholic Church had expressed "extreme reservations" approximately the vote’s transparency amid a web shutdown on election day.
About 50 organizations, together with Internet Without Borders, final week appealed to the president to "maintain the internet open, available and safe at some stage in the whole of the 2021 presidential election duration".
The biggest competition organization, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy or UPADS, boycotted the ballot wherein a few 2.Five million people are eligible to vote.
The former French colony has ample oil reserves and most of its finances comes from petroleum revenue. But its financial system is in a stoop, harm with the aid of a crumble in global crude oil fees, lengthy-status debt and the pandemic, in addition to its reputation for corruption.
Sassou Nguesso campaigned on agricultural improvement and portrayed himself as a defender of Congo's kids – the common age of the populace of 5 million is just 19, according to UN figures.
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