Congo: Journalists assaulted in Brazzaville Nov. 30

Event

A group of men presenting themselves as security officers attacked several international journalists in Brazzaville on Thursday, November 30. The journalists were about to attend a press conference held by the legal team of a jailed opposition figure, André Okombi Salissa, outside the offices of the La Semaine Africaine newspaper. The assailants harassed the journalists and took some of their work material. The press conference was subsequently canceled.

Context

Okombi, along with four other opposition figures, had sought to prevent President Denis Sassou Nguesso from returning to power in the March 2016 presidential election. He has been in jail since January on charges of "undermining internal security" and possessing "weapons of war."

Advice

Those present in Brazzaville are advised to keep abreast of the situation and avoid any demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning.