Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:38 am
The Republic of Congo has commemorated its 60th anniversary of independence.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso on saturday underlined the “progress” made in his country, a former French colony.
During a ceremony to mark the anniversary, Sassou Nguesso, who has been in power for 35 years, spoke at length about the infrastructure built in the central African country since it gained independence from France.
When President Sassou is satisfied with road construction, it’s a joke,” said Roch Euloge Nzobo, coordinator at the local NGO Human Rights and Development Circle.
“In 60 years of independence, Congo does not even have a motorway,” he told KnowAfrika, adding that “corruption is endemic” throughout the country.
Sassou Nguesso, whose re-election in 2016 was contested and has caused unrest, has already been nominated as the candidate of the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) in the next presidential ballot, due next March.
The oil-rich country is currently facing several political and socio-economic challenges.
After the fall in oil prices in 2014, the country’s economy has been further weakened by the coronavirus pandemic.
(AFP)
