News Story

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (AP) - The Republic of Congo is voting to elect a new leader Sunday as incumbent President Dennis Sassou N´Guesso runs for a fifth consecutive term.

Three million people are registered to vote in the election, which has been marked by a lethargic mood among young people who expect Sassou N´Guesso to win again, and a call for a boycott by opposition parties. Polls are expected to close by 7 p.m.

Six other candidates are challenging Sassou N´Guesso to vie for the top job of the oil-rich Central African country, which boasts one of the largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, but analysts say none of them can mount a significant challenge against the incumbent, who has been in power for 42 years.

The campaign showed a vast mismatch between Sassou N´Guesso and his opponents, with the incumbent being the only candidate to travel around the country to canvass for votes. Roads in the capital city, Brazzaville, are paved with Sassou N´Guesso's effigies.

Two other major parties are boycotting the elections over allegations of unfair electoral practices.

Sassou N´Guesso, running under the Congolese Party of Labor, first came to power in 1979 and was replaced in 1992 when he organized the country's first multi-party elections. He returned to power as a militia leader following a four-month civil war in 1997.

A constitutional referendum in 2015 removed presidential age and term limits, allowing him to run again.

The country is struggling with high international debt, which currently stands at 94.5% of its gross domestic product according to the World Bank, and skyrocketing unemployment rates for young people. More than half the country´s 5.7 million population lives in poverty and 47% of the country´s population is under 18.

The election is the latest in a trend of octogenarian African leaders clinging to power. Sassou N´Guesso is the third-longest serving African president, only behind Cameroon ´s Paul Biya and Equatorial Guinea ´s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.