Denis Sassou Nguesso is present President of the Republic of the Congo since 25 October 1997.
Preceeded by: Pascal Lissouba.
Date of Birth: November 23, 1943.
Party: Congolese Party of Labour (1969–present).
Family: Antoinette Sassou Nguesso (Spouse)
About: Denis Sassou Nguesso is a Congolese politician and former military officer. A member of the Mbochi tribe, His father was a notable hunter chief in Edou. He received primary education in Fort Rousset, now Owando. He studied in Dolisie Normal College between 1956 and 1960.
In 1960, soon before the nation gained independence, he enlisted in the army. In Algeria, he underwent military instruction. He was deployed to active duty in the Congo in 1962 and given the rank of second lieutenant. He enrolled in the Infantry Application School in Saint-Maixent-l’École, France, a year later, and upon graduation received the rank of lieutenant. He went back to the elite paratroop regiment of Congo. He was one of the original officers of the Marien Ngouabi-founded Airborne Group, the Congolese Army’s first paratroop unit, which was formed in 1965. He oversaw the army, the Brazzaville Military Zone (ZAB), and the Airborne Group before leading the State Security Services’ intelligence division. He became captain, then commander, and was promoted to colonel (1978) and later as army general (1989).
