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           Congo Opposition Urges Resistance to Third Term for Sassou

   by Reuters

   Republic of Congo opposition parties called on the population Wednesday
   to resist attempts at constitutional reform that could pave the way for
   President Denis Sassou Nguesso to seek a third term in next year's
   presidential election.

   The country's opposition parties and some civil society groups convened
   an alternative meeting in the capital after boycotting a
   government-sponsored forum earlier this month that opened the
   possibility for Sassou Nguesso, 71, to seek another term.

   Sassou Nguesso, who has ruled oil-producing Congo for a total of 31
   years during two separate periods in office, is banned by the
   Constitution from seeking another term. He has not said whether he
   plans to run, but his party and supporters have pushed for
   constitutional reforms, which the opposition argues is a ploy to enable
   him to run.

   "We, the participants of the alternative national dialogue on the
   respect of constitutional order and democratic political change in
   2016, call on the Congolese people to resist and defend the
   Constitution if it were to be violated," a statement from the gathering
   said.

   Opposition to long-ruling African leaders trying to extend their reign
   has triggered protests in several countries in the continent in recent
   months.

   During a speech Tuesday at the African Union in Ethiopia, President
   Barack Obama admonished African leaders who are trying to change
   constitutional term limits, warning that they threaten democracy on the
   continent.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/congo-opposition-urges-resistance-thi
   rd-term-sassou/2886465.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/congo-opposition-urges-resistance-third-term-sassou/2886465.html