Former Congolese president Pascal Lissouba dies at 88

By Rodrigue Forku

YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AA) - Former Congolese President Pascal Lissouba passed away in France on Monday, his son announced. He was 88.

‘’With a heavy heart, I announce the death, this Monday, August 24, 2020, of my father Professor Pascal LISSOUBA, former President of the Republic of Congo, at his home in France,’’ Jeremy Lissouba said in a Facebook post.

He thanked everybody for their ‘’support and for respecting family privacy in these difficult times."

Arrangements for the funeral will be announced later, Jeremy said.

Thierry Moungalla, minister of communication and Congolese government spokesman, also condoled, saying: ‘’Thoughts for his biological and political families."

Lissouba was the first democratically-elected president of the Republic of Congo, and ruled from Aug. 31, 1992 to Oct. 15, 1997.

He was overthrown by the incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso in the 1997 civil war, and moved to France.

The former head of state had been the leader of Pan African Union for Social Democracy party, now headed by Pascal Tsaty Mabiala.

Lissouba is the second former Congolese president to pass away this year.

On March 30, Joachim Yhombi-Opango died of coronavirus at age 81 in France.