The Republic of Congo’s main opposition candidate Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas died as he was being transferred to France for treatment for Covid-19, his campaign director said Monday, a day after presidential elections were held.
Kolelas “died in the medical aircraft which came to get him from Brazzaville on Sunday afternoon”, said Christian Cyr Rodrigue Mayanda.
Kolelas was being evacuated to France for treatment when he passed away. He first tested positive for Covid-19 on Friday and fell seriously ill. He spent election day in the hospital.
In a video that circulated on social media, 61-year-old Kolelas, who was diabetic, could be seen briefly removing an oxygen mask to tell his supporters that he is “fighting death”.
“Rise up as one person … I’m fighting on my deathbed. You, too, fight for your change,” he urged his supporters, saying the election was “about the future of your children”.
Kolelas was one of six candidates running against Denis Sassou Nguesso, 77, and was seen as the main opposition candidate.
He was the runner-up in 2016’s presidential election and has been widely seen as the main political threat to Sassou Nguesso, who has lead the central African country for a total of 36 years since 1979.
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