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Brazzaville – The Republic of Congo has instructed telecommunications firms operating in the country to block service during yesterday’s presidential vote.

A letter dated on 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.

Republic of Congo’s long time President Denis Sassou N’Guesso was facing off against eight opponents yesterday 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. – Sapa