Congo shuts airwaves for presidential election

Congo’s government has ordered the country’s two largest telecomms providers to block all communication during the presidential election for security reasons.

The decision prompted criticism that it would impede election monitors on the look-out for vote rigging.

President Sassou Nguesso, who has led Congo for 32 of the last 37 years, is expected to extend his rule in the oilproducing nation. He pushed through constitutional changes last year to remove term and age limits that would have prevented him standing again.