:quality(75)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/elcomercio/Y6TPZQVLTRC7PL2V6WOUYJQEHI.jpg "Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, the main opposition presidential candidate in the Congo, died of coronavirus")
Guy-Brice Parfait Kolelas, Denis Sassou Nguesso’s main rival in the presidential elections held on Sunday in the Democratic Republic of Congo, died as a result of coronavirus covid-19 when he was transferred to France, his campaign director told AFP on Monday.
“He died in the medicalized plane that came to look for him in Brazzaville on Sunday afternoon”, declared Christian Cyr Rodrigue Mayanda.
“We are going to continue counting the ballots. I was in the lead in some locations “, added the campaign manager, who called on Kolelas supporters to gather at 11:00 AM (10:00 GMT) on Monday.
On Friday Wheels tested positive covid-19 and he was unable to hold his last rally in Brazzaville.
Hours before the elections, he released a video in which, lying on a bed, he said that he was “fighting against death.”
“My dear compatriots, fighting death, but nevertheless, I ask you to stand up. Vote for change. So I won’t have fought at all “, he affirmed weakened, just after removing an assisted breathing mask.
“Stand up as one man. Please me. I am fighting on my deathbed. You too, fight, for your change. The future of your children is at stake “he added before putting the mask back on.
Wheels, 60, seemed this year the only rival of weight against the outgoing president Sasssou Nguesso, 77, of whom 36 in power.
Sasssou Nguesso hopes to be reelected in the first round of the elections, the results of which will be known in a few days.