Republic of Congo opposition calls for boycott of referendum

Archbishop of Brazzaville Anatole Nilandou has appealed to the various political parties to hold talks on the crisis sparked by Sassou Nguesso’s bid to run for another term in 2016.

Opposition calls for a boycott and lack of materials combined to reduce voting to a trickle at many polling stations in the capital, witnesses said. There was no information on turnout in other parts of the country.

“The Congolese are a free and sovereign people…” Others complained they had not received voter cards. Analysts have warned of further violence. “This is a defeat for the government”, said opposition leader Pascal Tsaty Mabiala, secretary of Pan-African Union for Social Democracy party.

“There are areas where a few people say they are not going to vote because they feel that it is an attempt by the president to perhaps hang on to power one day”.

“The only explanation is that I told the president he is not allowed to change the constitution”, Kolelas told Reuters by telephone from his house.

Sassou Nguesso has ruled the oil-producing country for 31 of the past 36 years and is expected to stand if permitted.

All six were members of the Republican Front for the Respect of Constitutional Order and Democratic Change (FROCAD), one of the two groups opposing the referendum.

Security forces have continued to fire warning shots and tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters, and four opposition supporters are reportedly killed in the violence.

The amendments up for a vote in Sunday’s referendum would abolish a two-term limit for presidents and an age limit of 70 for presidential candidates.

The legal changes offer a challenge for Western governments – they can endorse veteran leaders or press for term limits.

President Francois Hollande, the Congo’s former colonial power, urged Nguesso on Wednesday to “calm tensions” while emphasising his right to “consult his people”.