00:01Campaigning opens on Saturday in Ponwa, the country's economic and oil capital, with a rally held by President Denisa Tsungesso's
00:09Congolese Labour Party, PCT.
00:11The 82-year-old president is seemingly assured of extending his time in power.
00:16The career military officer first led Congo under the one-party system from 1979 to 1992, before losing the country's
00:26first multi-party elections to former Prime Minister Pascal Lisuba.
00:30He overthrew Lisuba in a civil war to return to power in 1997.
00:35Earlier this month, he announced he would be seeking a new five-year term, which, according to the Constitution, would
00:42be his last.
00:42Campaigns will end on March 13, with the first round of voting on March 15.
00:48Six opposition candidates have formally confirmed they will be standing, including 34-year-old Destagava from the Republican movement, who
00:57is in the race for the very first time.
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