SASSOU-NGUESSO WINS RE-ELECTION

The Republic of Congo's (ROC) electoral commission announced on 15 July 2009 that incumbent President Denis Sassou-Nguesso has been re-elected to another seven-year term after securing 78.6 percent of the vote in the 12 July election; Sassou-Nguesso's nearest rival gained just 7.5 percent of the vote. Opposition parties have already begun voicing discontent with the election, alleging widespread fraud and irregularities, but international election observers have stated that the election was conducted fairly and in a calm environment. Approximately 2,000 opposition supporters gathered in Brazzaville to protest the results, but anti-riot police officers promptly dispersed them by firing tear gas. Reports indicate that the demonstrators gathered peacefully and that the police officers initiated the violence. Additional gatherings to protest the election results are possible in the coming days