Republic of Congo candidate Kolelas dies of COVID-19

A spokesman says the top opposition candidate in Republic of Congo's presidential election has died of complications from COVID-19

Republic Of Congo Election (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Republic of Congo's top presidential opposition candidate Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 complications on election day, has died, a spokesman said Monday.

The 61-year-old politician was last seen in a video circulating Saturday on social media in which he told supporters he was “fighting death.” Aides later said he was been flown to France for further treatment. Spokesman Justin Nzoloufoua confirmed his death Monday to The Associated Press.

Kolelas, who won 15% of the vote in the 2016 election, was expected to finish second to President Denis Sassou N'Guesso, one of Africa s longest-serving leaders with more than 36 years in office.