Congo's Sassou Nguesso assures of first round win in presidential poll

The president of the republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, has assured his supporters of winning in the first round of the 20th March presidential elections.

Speaking at a rally in Pointe Noire, an industrial town in the south of Congo, the incumbent promised to beat his 8 other contenders by majority of the votes.

“The 20th March will be the final penalty shot and it will be marked by victory,” said Nguesso to thousands of his supporters who were chanting his name in support of his bid.

During the campaign, Sassou outlined his vision towards improving the development processes in the country. He termed one of the project, dubbed ‘Walking towards development’, as one tool that will foster the economy of Congo.

“This project will be implemented over the next five years. It will focus on agriculture, social development and youth employment,” he said. He also announced construction of a 1,000 megawatts dam in Kouilou, Pointe Noire to boost electricity grid within the town.

Other opposing candidates have dismissed Nguesso’s automatic first round victory labeling it as unrealistic.

“That will be magic!” exclaimed Mabio Mavoungou Zinga, campaign director of one of the opposing candidates as he responded to Nguesso’s assumption to victory.

“Mathematically, it is impossible that a candidate can prevail in the first round. Even the candidate who is in power speaking about first round victory is unrealistic,” added Mr. Mabio. “If Sassou has a chance then he will emerge fifth in the first round. He is no longer controlling the situation,” he added.

The presidential campaigns were opened on Friday with the various contestants preparing to outline their manifesto to the voters. Already nine candidates have filed to contest for the country’s top-most political position. Nguesso, who has ruled Congo for over 32 years, is regarded as the favourite to win the poll.