Brazzaville: Congo has seen weeks of protests ahead of a planned referendum Sunday to amend the constitution that would enable veteran ruler Denis Sassou Nguesso to remain in office.
Following is a chronology of key events since Sassou Nguesso proclaimed himself head of state for the second time in 1997 after a brief but bloody civil war:
Sassou Nguesso returns to power
On October 15, 1997 Sassou Nguesso -- who had been in power from 1979-1992 -- seizes back control after the victory of his Angola-backed forces over troops loyal to Pascal Lissouba.
The ousted president and his premier, Bernard Kolelas, flee the country.
Between 4,000 to 10,000 people are estimated to have died in fighting in the capital from June to October 1997.
On October 25 Sassou Nguesso proclaims himself head of state.
Deadly clashes
After a year-long lull in the unrest, new clashes break out in December 1998 in Brazzaville and spread to other regions. The army and Sassou Nguesso's Cobra militia, supported again by the Angolans, are pitted against the Cocoyes and Ninjas, forces loyal to Lissouba and Kolelas.
Clashes marked by regime abuses against the population leave thousands of people dead and many missing by late 1999.
In December 2001 Lissouba is sentenced in his absence to 30 years' forced labour for "high treason".
Disputed elections
On January 20, 2002 a referendum on the constitution --- the first step towards holding democratic elections -- wins the support of 84.5 percent of voters, but the opposition says the poll was riddled with irregularities.
On March 13, Sassou Nguesso is elected president by a wide margin, after all the major opposition candidates either pull out, citing electoral fraud, or are prevented from standing.
He is re-elected on July 12, 2009 at elections again disputed by the opposition.
Constitutional referendum
On September 22, 2015, Sassou Nguesso announces Congo will hold a referendum on proposals for a new constitution that could pave the way for him to stand for a third term in 2016.
Opponents brand the move a "constitutional coup".
On October 5, the date of the referendum is set for October 25. Five days later tens of thousands of supporters of Sassou Nguesso take to the streets of Brazzaville to back his re-election bid.
On October 20 at least four people are killed as opposition demonstrators brave a government clampdown and take to the streets in protest.
AFP
