Nguesso

Like his peers in Africa, Sassou Nguesso is on the wrong side of history.

Global Voices in English » Congo Brazzaville: Disappointment at Presidential election 2009

The African Union delegation leader and South African president Jacob Zuma (l), and the president of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso (c) meet Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli.

Libya: Gaddafi has accepted roadmap to peace, says Zuma 2011

Earlier this week, a Parisian judge ordered an inquiry into alleged corruption and embezzlement on the part of three African heads of state: Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Congo-Brazzaville, Omar Bongo of Gabon, and Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea.

Global Voices in English » Paris court investigates three African leaders 2009

The investigation comes following a complaint filed by Transparency International in December accusing Sassou-Nguesso, Bongo and Obiang of “concealing misappropriated public funds.”

Global Voices in English » Paris court investigates three African leaders 2009

In certain villages and districts people voted for Sassou Nguesso because of intimidation.

Global Voices in English » Congo Brazzaville: Disappointment at Presidential election 2009

Denis Sassou-Nguesso has ruled the Republic of Congo for decades.

Global Voices in English » Paris court investigates three African leaders 2009

A BBC correspondent reportedly witnessed “money being handed out at a polling station in the south of the capital, to people who later said they had been asked to vote for Mr Sassou-Nguesso.”

Global Voices in English » Congo Brazzaville: Disappointment at Presidential election 2009

A main focus of the effort was to persuade Congress to stop the profitable business of investment funds like the one that had embarassed Sassou-Nguesso.

Congo Republic's heavy use of D.C. lobbyists prompts questions 2010

The Congo Republic made clear that its legislative priorities included "responding to allegations of misconduct directed at President Sassou-Nguesso by creditors of the Republic of Congo," according to reports filed in Washington.

Congo Republic's heavy use of D.C. lobbyists prompts questions 2010

But John Clark, a professor at Florida International University and an expert on the Congo Republic, said members of Congress, including Waters, should be wary of lobbyists for Sassou-Nguesso and should scrutinize the country's "grotesque" record of neglecting its citizens.

Congo Republic's heavy use of D.C. lobbyists prompts questions 2010