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Africa News of Monday, 31 August 2020

Source: bbc.com

Congo-Brazzaville's opposition leader returns

Jean-Marie Mokoko ran as an independent candidate in 2016 Jean-Marie Mokoko ran as an independent candidate in 2016

Congo-Brazzaville's opposition leader Jean-Marie Mokoko has returned to the country a month after he was taken for treatment in Turkey's capital, Ankara.

The opposition leader was serving a 20-year jail term when he became sick and was taken to Turkey for treatment.

His lawyer Yvon Eric Ibouanga told AFP news agency he was allowed to see Mr Mokoko after he returned to the country and that he was in "good shape".

The lawyer said they were working on a request for him to be freed.

Mr Mokoko was charged with undermining state security and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition and jailed in 2019.

The former chief of staff of the armed forces finished third in the 2016 presidential elections. Denis Sassou Nguesso was controversially declared winner.