Brazzaville - Twenty years ago, Congo-Brazzaville's new president urged conflict refugees to come home across the River Congo from Kinshasa. Then 353 returnees disappeared who were widely believed to have been murdered.

Brazzaville - Voters went to the polls in legislative elections in the oil-rich Republic of Congo on Sunday, the first since a violence-marred presidential poll last year which returned Denis Sassou Nguesso to power.

Brazzaville - The Republic of Congo has called on the European Union to recall its ambassador to Brazzaville over EU criticism of President Denis Sassou Nguesso's controversial re-election in March, Congolese and EU officials said Saturday.

Brazzaville - Republic of Congo's newly-reelected President Denis Sassou Nguesso has named former opposition leader and one-time finance minister Clement Mouamba as his prime minister.

Brazzaville - At least five people died and buildings were torched in clashes between government forces and suspected rebels in Congo's capital, the government said Tuesday, saying some 50 people had been arrested over the "terror attack".

Brazzaville - Thousands fled fighting in Congo's capital Brazzaville on Monday as the government blamed hours of heavy clashes in opposition bastions on a rebel group known as "The Ninjas".

Brazzaville - Opposition strongholds in Brazzaville were closed Tuesday following a strike call over the re-election of Congo's veteran ruler Denis Sassou Nguesso in polls his rivals say were marred by "massive fraud".

Brazzaville - Five defeated opposition candidates in Congo's recent presidential poll called on their countrymen to challenge the re-election of President Denis Sassou Nguesso through "peaceful" and legal actions, according to a statement confirmed by AFP.

Brazzaville - Congo strongman Denis Sassou Nguesso was on Thursday declared the winner of presidential elections, extending his 32 years in power in a vote the opposition says was marked by "massive fraud".

Brazzaville - Congo president Denis Sassou Nguesso has been reelected in a first round vote, extending his 32 years in power, the interior minister said Thursday.

Brazzaville - Washington and the European Union called for calm in Congo as the country Tuesday awaited results from a weekend presidential election, with communications lines cut for a third day.

Brazzaville - Communications lines were cut in Congo for a second day and business was slack, hit by fears of post-election trouble as the country waited to see if President Denis Sassou Nguesso will keep his grip on power.

Brazzaville - Congo holds elections on Sunday under a media blackout, in a tense vote expected to see President Denis Sassou Nguesso prolong his 32-year rule over the oil-rich but poor nation.

Brazzaville - Congo presidential candidate general Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko told AFP Saturday he had received a fresh police summons to report to authorities on the eve of the election, slamming what he termed a bid to torpedo his hopes of standing.

Brazzaville - Congo's President Denis Sassou Nguesso will seek re-election Sunday after 32 years at the helm of an oil-rich but impoverished nation which is clamouring for jobs and decent living standards.

In what is likely just the secnd time a Pope has okayed contraceptive use, Pope Francis said artificial contraceptives are acceptable for women threatened by the Zika virus. He made his remark to reporters on Wednesday.

In early childhood, Abdoulaye Toure from Mali took his first stance against injustice towards women. When he was about six years old, he realized it was unfair for his mother to be responsible for all the household work.

Brazzaville - The Republic of Congo will hold early presidential elections in March, authorities said, after a new constitution removed barriers to President Denis Sassou Nguesso extending his rule.

Brazzaville - The Congolese government claimed a landslide victory Tuesday in a controversial referendum over a bid by President Denis Sassou Nguesso to extend his 31-year rule but the opposition swiftly branded the result fraudulent.A total of 92.

Brazzaville - More than 90 percent of people voting in a controversial referendum in the Republic of Congo approved a bid by President Denis Sassou Nguesso to extend his 31-year stay in office, according to official results announced on Tuesday.A total of 92.