Yhombi Opango: Former President Of Republic Of Congo Jacques Joaquim Yhombi Opango Dies Due To Coronavirus At 81

The Ex-President of the Republic Of Congo, Jacques Joaquim Yhombi Opango has passed away after contracting coronavirus (COVID-19) at the age of 81. Yhombi-Opango died in a Paris hospital on Monday, his family confirmed to AFP.

Yhombi Opango’s son announced his death, he was ill before even contracting the Coronavirus.

Yhombi Opango was a military ruler who came into power after the assassination of President Marien Ngouabi, he was the president of Congo-Brazzaville between 1977-1979 when he was overthrown by the current leader of the country Denis Sassou Nguesso. Yhombi-Opango was thrown in jail in 9187 for 3-years after he was accused of participating in a plot to overthrow Sassou Nguesso. After Yhombi-Opango was released from prison he founded the Rally for Democracy and Development (RDD) and lost at the presidential election in 1992. In 1994, Yhombi-Opango became the Prime minister of Congo-Brazzaville but went into exile in 1997 after the Civil War broke out in the Country. Photo Credit: Getty