Republic of Congo to block telecoms service during vote
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Republic of Congo has instructed telecommunications firms operating in the country to block service during Sunday's presidential vote.
A letter dated Friday from Raymond Zephirin Mboulou, the interior minister, to the head of local operations for the South African-based firm MTN said all communications including text messages should be blocked on Sunday and Monday for security reasons.
The letter, obtained by The Associated Press on Saturday, refers to a list of numbers that are to continue to receive communications during the two days.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Republic of Congo's longtime President Denis Sassou N'Guesso is facing off against eight opponents Sunday in an election held five months after a referendum removed term and age limits that would have barred him from running. The run-up to October's referendum was marred by violence.