Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Leadership and Structure

According to sources, André Okombi Salissa is the president of CADD (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2018; Le Monde 11 Jan. 2017; FIDH and OCDH Apr. 2017, 5). Sources explain that Okombi Salissa is a former member of the [ruling] Congolese Labour Party (Parti congolais du travail, PCT) (US 25 June 2015, 21; L'Avenir 11 Jan. 2017; OCDH Feb. 2016, 42) and a former member of parliament (L'Avenir 11 Jan. 2017). According to sources, Okombi Salissa was removed from the government (Jeune Afrique 17 Jan. 2017; L'Avenir 11 Jan. 2017; La Lettre du continent 8 Nov. 2012), in 2012 (Jeune Afrique 17 Jan. 2017; L'Avenir 11 Jan. 2017). He was Minister of Technical [and Professional] Education (Xinhua News Agency 21 Jan. 2015; La Lettre du continent 11 June 2014).

Sources report that Okombi Salissa was the leader of the Action Committee for the Defense of Democracy-Youth Movement (Comité d'action pour la défense de la démocratie-Mouvement de [la] jeunesse, CADD-MJ) (Jeune Afrique 3 Mar. 2016; La Lettre du continent 11 June 2014; La Semaine africaine 28 Dec. 2011). Sources describe CADD-MJ as being part of the PCT (L'Avenir 11 Jan. 2017; Jeune Afrique 26 Aug. 2014; La Lettre du continent 11 June 2014). Jeune Afrique reports that CADD-MJ was formed by

[translation]

[several hundred young people, most of them from the Poto-Poto neighbourhood in Brazzaville and from Lékana; they were tasked with, among other things, mobilizing during presidential travels [of the President of the Republic of the Congo] and were organized as a quasi-militia under the aegis of [CADD-MJ]" (Jeune Afrique 17 Jan. 2017). A December 2014 article by BrazzaNews, a news website about the Republic of the Congo, reports that it is [translation] "the greatest mobilizing force of the ruling party," and that it was "essentially composed of warriors" (BrazzaNews 30 Dec. 2014). According to sources, it was dissolved (Jeune Afrique 26 Aug. 2014; BrazzaNews 30 Dec. 2014) by the President of the Republic of the Congo (BrazzaNews 30 Dec. 2014). The December 2014 BrazzaNews article adds that, following the dissolution, CADD-MJ is still active through [translation] "CADD, André Okombi Salissa's newly created association" (BrazzaNews 30 Dec. 2014). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to sources, Okombi Salissa was a candidate for the 2016 presidential elections (OCDH Feb. 2016, 42; La Lettre du continent 11 June 2014; Jeune Afrique 17 Jan. 2017).

According to sources, other CADD members include the following:

• Nicolas Kossaloba, CADD's [national] coordinator (FIDH 15 Dec. 2015; CADD 11 Jan. 2017, 2) or CADD's former secretary general (Portail242.Info 10 Jan. 2017). According to the West Africa Newsletter, a news publication, Kossaloba "runs" CADD (West Africa Newsletter 15 Feb. 2017);
• Augustin Kala-Kala [Kalla Kalla, Kala Kala, Kalakala], CADD's deputy [national] coordinator (West Africa Newsletter 15 Feb. 2017; FIDH 15 Dec. 2015; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 129) or CADD's spokesperson (APA News 9 Aug. 2015);
• Alain [Marius] Kessi Ngoya [Ngoya Nkessi, Ngoyakesi], CADD's secretary general (Panapress 21 Dec. 2015; FIDH 15 Dec. 2015; BBC 9 Aug. 2015);
• Serge Matsoulé, CADD's federal secretary (Amnesty International 27 Feb. 2016; OCDH Feb. 2016, 42);
• Jean de Dieu Kiakouama, CADD's federal secretary in charge of mobilization (OCDH Feb. 2016, 43);
• Auguste Ngabelet, CADD's spokesperson [as of 2014] (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 15 Apr. 2014);
• Clémentine Mantima Moukietou, CADD's president for women (BrazzaNews 19 Apr. 2014);
• Kostellie Aboyo Issami [Gavmelle Kostelie Issami Aboyo], vice-president of CADD's Committee for Women (Comité féminin) (Africa Info 31 Mar. 2016) or CADD's vice-president (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 18 Nov. 2015a);
• Okouya Rigobert, a "leading political figur[e]" of CADD (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 128);
• Guy Mafimba [Motoki], Okombi Salissa's advisor (West Africa Newsletter 15 Feb. 2017) or Okombi Salissa's personal representative in Europe (Entrecongolais.com 16 Jan. 2017);
• Jean-Pierre Moumele, Europe coordinator for CADD (Brazzaparisinfos 16 Jan. 2017).

An April 2014 article by BrazzaNews indicates that CADD had two elected members at the National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) and one at the Senate (Sénat) (BrazzaNews 19 Apr. 2014). The website of the Congolese National Assembly does not indicate any current member affiliated with CADD (Republic of Congo n.d.). The 2014 article by BrazzaNews indicates that CADD had approximately 40 seats in municipal and department councils (BrazzaNews 19 Apr. 2014). According to a 2016 report by the Congolese Observatory of Human Rights (Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme, OCDH), Jean de Dieu Kiakouama is the president of the Mkélékélé riding for CADD (OCDH Feb. 2016, 43). Further information on CADD representatives or elected members could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Information on the organizational structure of CADD was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. According to a January 2017 declaration by CADD, the party has a National Coordination that includes an Executive Steering Committee (Bureau exécutif restreint de la coordination nationale, BECN) (CADD 11 Jan. 2017, 1). The same source indicates that CADD's temporary headquarters are in Talangaï, Brazzaville (CADD 11 Jan. 2017, 1). Other sources similarly indicate that CADD's headquarters are in Brazzaville (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 10 Jan. 2016; La Semaine africaine 13 Jan. 2016), in the Poto-Poto neighbourhood (La Semaine africaine 13 Jan. 2016).

2. Objectives and Activities

A January 2015 article by Les Dépêches de Brazzaville, a Congolese newspaper, reports that, according to a declaration by CADD, its founding principles are: [translation] "'the preservation of peace, the consolidation of democracy, the strengthening of social justice and the development of Congo'" (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 21 Jan. 2015).

According to sources, in December 2014, the PCT announced its intention to modify the constitution of 2002 (Xinhua News Agency 21 Jan. 2015; Alwihda Info 12 Feb. 2015), which imposed term and age limits for candidates (Xinhua News Agency 21 Jan. 2015). Sources report that CADD is against the amendment of the constitution (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 21 Jan. 2015; Xinhua News Agency 21 Jan. 2015; BrazzaNews 19 Apr. 2014) that would maintain a political party or an individual in power (Xinhua News Agency 21 Jan. 2015). Sources indicate that the constitution was changed by referendum in 2015 (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 18 Nov. 2015b; Reuters 24 Mar. 2016), "lifting term and age limits that would have excluded [the President] from running again" (Reuters 24 Mar. 2016).

The news portal Agence de presse africaine (APA News) reports that in August 2015, CADD, the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development (Mouvement congolais pour la démocratie et le développement intégral, MCDDI) and the Movement for Solidarity and Development (Mouvement pour la solidarité et le développement, MSD), created the Initiative for Democracy in Congo (Initiative pour la démocratie au Congo, IDC), a platform that advocates for non-violence, the consolidation of peace, democracy and the rule of law, that works towards a fair society and non-discrimination and that commits to protect the constitution of 2002 (APA News 2 Aug. 2015). Similarly, Le Monde indicates that Okombi Salissa joined the IDC, a platform to oppose the re-election of President Denis Sassou-Nguesso (Le Monde 11 Jan. 2017). A September 2015 article by Ici Brazza, a news website, reports that IDC's Council of Presidents (Conseil des présidents) recommended the establishment of a [translation] "truly independent electoral commission" (Ici Brazza 3 Sept. 2015). According to sources, André Okombi Salissa is the leader of the IDC (OCDH Feb. 2016, 42; Journal de Brazza 17 Dec. 2015; Ici Brazza 3 Sept. 2015).

According to sources, on 8 January 2016, over twenty parties, including CADD, attended a national convention of opposition parties that make up the IDC as well as a second opposition platform, the Republican Front for the Respect of Constitutional Order and Democratic Change (Front républicain pour le respect de l'ordre constitutionnel et l'alternance démocratique, FROCAD); the convention was held at CADD's headquarters and aimed to consolidate cohesion among the opposition (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 10 Jan. 2016; La Semaine africaine 13 Jan. 2016).

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville reports that former members of CADD-MJ, and resigning members of CADD, created the National Front for Peace in Congo (Front national pour la paix au Congo, FNPC) on 2 August 2015 because of a declaration made in July 2015 by CADD's leader, which, according to the dissenting members, was [translation] "tinged with calls for violence" (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 3 Aug. 2015). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Requirements and Procedures to Become a Member, Including Documents

Information on the requirements and procedures to become a member of CADD could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Information on documents issued by CADD was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. A copy of the January 2017 declaration by CADD, including its logo and slogan, is attached to this Response.

4. Relations with the Authorities

The US Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014 indicates that, according to CADD officials, the "police had on at least three occasions disrupted operations at the movement's headquarters by entering unannounced and requesting to examine their permits and paperwork" (US 25 June 2015, 21). According to Africa Info, a news website, in March 2016, the Special Brigade for Rapid Intervention (Brigade spéciale d'intervention rapide, BSIR) damaged CADD's headquarters, preventing access to members (Africa Info 25 Mar. 2016). Sources report that the police stated, in June 2016, that [translation] "'there will be no more political activities at CADD's headquarters'" (APA News 18 June 2016; Journal de Brazza 28 June 2016), and prevented a press conference organized to report the [translation] "'arbitrary' arrest" of a defeated presidential candidate (APA News 18 June 2016).

According to BrazzaNews, on 10 October 2015, Sabin Assima, the police commissioner in Moukondo, Brazzaville, threatened members of CADD and sprayed them with tear gas, stating the following: [translation] "'I received orders from General Ndenguet to eliminate opponents André Okombi Salissa, Oba Blanchard, Guy Brice Parfait Kolelas. We eliminated Kolelas (Sr.), made Lissouba flee. For our power that you want to take, we will kill you'." (BrazzaNews 1 May 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to US Country Reports 2017, Okombi Salissa was "at risk of harassment and detention" and "[s]ecurity forces continued to harass [his] family and his political supporters" (US 20 Apr. 2018, 10). Similarly, an August 2015 article by Les Dépêches de Brazzaville reports that CADD members are victims of [translation] "threats and arrests" by police and that Okombi Salissa and those who are close to him are subjected to "intimidation and police pressure" (Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 8 Aug. 2015).

Sources report arrests of CADD members or their relatives, including the following:

• According to US Country Reports 2015, in July 2015, "authorities arrested at least four members of a supporter organization for Andr[é] Okombi-Salissa … in the middle of the night at their homes in Brazzaville, ostensibly for fraudulently applying for an event permit" (US 13 Apr. 2016, 25). According to the same source, on 23 July 2015, a group of 50 to 150 CADD supporters "congregated outside the security police facility in downtown Brazzaville where police held the prisoners, and demanded the release of their colleagues or to be arrested themselves. The police released the men without further action" (US 13 Apr. 2016, 25);
• The BBC reports that, according to CADD, four of its officials were arrested in August 2015 (BBC 9 Aug. 2015). Similarly, APA News indicates that four CADD members (Patrick Mendom, Bertin Oko Gatsebe, Godefroy Ganga and Bruno N'Gobain) were arrested in August 2015 (APA News 9 Aug. 2015);
• The International Federation for Human Rights (Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme, FIDH) reports that on 24 November 2015, 11 individuals [translation] "close to" André Okombi Salissa had reportedly been arrested in Brazzaville (FIDH 15 Dec. 2015);
• Okouya Rigobert, a CADD member, was arrested in November 2015 "for protesting against changes to the Constitution"; in 2016, he remained in detention (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 128);
• On 12 December 2015, Alain Kessi Ngoya, CADD's secretary general, was arrested in Brazzaville, along with four other individuals; there were detained "incommunicado" (FIDH 15 Dec. 2015);
• According to FIDH, in 2015, Nicolas Kossaloba, CADD's coordinator, was [translation] "wanted" by the security forces (FIDH 15 Dec. 2015);
• Serge Matsoulé, CADD's federal secretary, was arrested in early 2016 (Amnesty International 31 Mar. 2016; OCDH Feb. 2016, 42) and remained in detention [as of March 2016] (Amnesty International 31 Mar. 2016). OCDH reports that while they proceeded to a search of his house, a policeman asked him [translation] "'where are your party's strategic documents and the money for mobilization" (OCDH Feb. 2016, 42). The same source explains that in February 2016, he was jailed and accused of incitement to disturbance of the peace (OCDH Feb. 2016, 42);
• US Country Reports 2016 indicates that between 25 and 31 March 2016, police arrested Okombi Salissa's campaign officials (US 3 Mar. 2017, 26). Similarly, in a February 2017 article, the West Africa Newsletter reported that Jacques Banangandzala, Okombi Salissa's former campaign manager, had been in prison for "several months" (West Africa Newsletter 15 Feb. 2017);
• Kostellie Aboyo Issami, vice-president of CADD's Committee for Women, was kidnapped by [translation] "heavily armed men" on 31 March 2016 (Africa Info 31 Mar. 2016);
• Pascaline Moukoko, a member of CADD and Okombi Salissa's cousin, was arrested on 31 July 2016 and asked about Okombi Salissa's whereabouts (OCDH 28 Feb. 2017, 28). She explained that an unknown substance was sprayed in the room where she was detained; she was then admitted to a clinic, under the surveillance of policemen, and was released on 5 August 2016 (OCDH 28 Feb. 2017, 28);
• According to FIDH, in 2015, Augustin Kala-Kala, CADD's deputy coordinator, was wanted by the police (FIDH 15 Dec. 2015). He was arrested (US 3 Mar. 2017, 4; West Africa Newsletter 15 Feb. 2017; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 129) in late September 2016 (US 3 Mar. 2017, 4; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 129). According to sources, while detained by security forces, he was subjected to "electric shocks" and beaten; in mid-October 2016, he was found near a mortuary (US 3 Mar. 2017, 4; Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 129) and "[n]o investigation was initiated into his allegations" (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017, 129);
• On 21 December 2016, Roland Gambou, Okombi Salissa's younger brother, was brought to the hospital; "he died of unspecified causes after more than four months of detention" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 4);
• US Country Reports indicates that Okombi Salissa's house was surrounded by security forces in 2015 (US 13 Apr. 2016, 25) and in 2016 (US 3 Mar. 2017, 13). Sources report that in 2015, he was placed under house arrest from 22 October to 2 November 2015 (OCDH Feb. 2016, 42), or "for 10 days," during which security forces "prohibit[ed] access to any visitors" (US 13 Apr. 2016, 25). According to Amnesty International, he "was forced into hiding after he publicly declared that he did not recognize the results of the [2016] presidential election" (Amnesty International 21 Mar. 2018). Sources report that he was arrested in January 2017 for threatening national security (Republic of Congo 10 Jan. 2017; Amnesty International 21 Mar. 2018; Les Dépêches de Brazzaville 14 Jan. 2017) and that he was still in detention [as of March 2018] (Amnesty International 21 Mar. 2018);
• According to a testimonial published in 2018 by Ouest-France, a French newspaper, a member of CADD was arrested and jailed for seven months before fleeing to France (Ouest-France 5 Feb. 2018).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa Info. 31 March 2016. "Congo-Brazzaville : climat de terreur, arrestations et assassinats au menu." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Africa Info. 25 March 2016. "Congo-Brazzaville : le pays en état de siège, l'opposition harcelée." [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Agence de presse africaine (APA News). 18 June 2016. "L'opposition congolaise empêchée de tenir une conférence de presse." (Factiva) [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Agence de presse africaine (APA News). 9 August 2015. "Congo : arrestation de quatre personnalités hostiles à un 3ième mandat de Denis Sassou Nguesso." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Agence de presse africaine (APA News). 2 August 2015. "Congo : une plateforme pour défendre l'ordre constitutionnel." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Alwihda Info. 12 February 2015. Michel Bengala Ndza. "Parti congolais du travail (PCT) : le 'oui' au changement de la constitution du Congo ou sens de responsabilité." [Accessed 29 June 2018]

Amnesty International. 21 March 2018. "Congo-Brazzaville: Torture and Arbitrary Detentions of Dozens of People Put Freedom of Expression Under Severe Strain." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Amnesty International. 22 February 2018. "Congo." Amnesty International Report 2017/18: The State of the World's Human Rights. [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Amnesty International. 22 February 2017. "Congo (Republic of the)." Amnesty International Report 2016/17: The State of the World's Human Rights. [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Amnesty International. 31 March 2016. "Republic of Congo: End Wave of Opposition Arrests Following the Presidential Elections." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Amnesty International. 27 February 2016. "Republic of Congo Refuses Entry and Sends Back Amnesty International Expert." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

L'Avenir. 11 January 2017. Roch Bouka. "Congo-Brazzaville : arrestation d'un ancien candidat à l'élection présidentielle du 20 mars 2016." (Factiva) [Accessed 27 June 2018]

BrazzaNews. 1 May 2016. Edo Ganga. "Les tueurs à gage et escadrons de la mort de Sassou Nguesso." [Accessed 6 July 2018]

BrazzaNews. 30 December 2014. Jeff Kitoko. "Okombi, Ntumi et Kolelas, une opposition de tous les dangers au changement de Constitution!" [Accessed 28 June 2018]

BrazzaNews. 19 April 2014. Aaron Goodlet. "Congo-Brazzaville : les militants du CADD, parti politique d'Okombi Salissa, menacés d'arrestation." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Brazzaparisinfos. 16 January 2017. "Déclaration de la CADD suite à l'arrestation de l'honorable André Okombi Salissa, député national." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 9 August 2015. "'Des arrestations arbitraires' au Congo." [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Convention pour l'action, la démocratie et le développement (CADD). 11 January 2017. Bureau exécutif restreint de la Coordination nationale. Déclaration de la Convention pour l'action la démocratie et le développement (CADD) suite à l'arrestation arbitraire de l'honorable André Okombi Salissa président de la CADD. [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 14 January 2017. "L'opposition promet la libération de tous les prisonniers politiques en 2017." (Factiva) [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 10 January 2016. "Vie des partis : L'opposition congolaise entend renforcer son unité." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 18 November 2015a. "Vie des partis - Les femmes de l'IDC et du FROCAD appellent à la tenue d'un dialogue inclusif sur la gouvernance électorale." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 18 November 2015b. "André Okombi Salissa : 'nous voulons négocier…', mais…" [Accessed 28 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 8 August 2015. "Vie des partis - La CADD s'inquiète de la sécurité de ses membres." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 3 August 2015. "Politique nationale : Les dissidents de la CADD forment le Front national pour la paix." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 21 January 2015. "Débat sur la Constitution – La Convention pour l’action, la démocratie et le développement prône la révision." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Les Dépêches de Brazzaville. 15 April 2014. "Révision de la Constitution - La majorité présidentielle met en place une commission." (Factiva) [Accessed 28 June 2018]

Entrecongolais.com. 16 January 2017. "Congo-diaspora : à Paris, la mobilisation de la dynamique André Okombi Salissa." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH). 15 December 2015. "Congo : vague de répression contre les opposants au projet de nouvelle constitution." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH) and Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme (OCDH). April 2017. Congo-Brazzaville : La répression à huit clos se poursuit au Pool et dans le reste du pays. [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Ici Brazza. 3 September 2015. Josiane Mambou Loukoula. "L'Initiative pour la démocratie au Congo s'ouvre à d'autres horizons." [Accessed 29 June 2018]

Jeune Afrique. 17 January 2017. "Congo-Brazzaville : Qui était Okombi Salissa avant de devenir un opposant?" [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Jeune Afrique. 3 March 2016. Trésor Kibangula. "Congo-Brazzaville : qui face à Denis Sassou Nguesso à la présidentielle?" [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Jeune Afrique. 26 August 2014. "Portrait - Congo-Brazzaville : Juste Bernardin Gavet, la force est avec lui." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Journal de Brazza. 28 June 2016. "Il a été présenté au doyen des juges d'instruction pour 'atteinte à la sûreté de l'État et détention illégale d'armes et munitions de guerre'." (Factiva) [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Journal de Brazza. 17 December 2015. "Pour cette plateforme politique la gouvernance électorale demeure la clé d'une élection libre, démocratique, et transparente." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

La Lettre du continent. 11 June 2014. "André Okombi Salissa." (Factiva) [Accessed 27 June 2018]

La Lettre du continent. 8 November 2012. "La stratégie de Sassou pour gagner en 2016." (Factiva) [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Le Monde. 11 January 2017. Joris Bolomey. "Brazzaville : qui est André Okombi Salissa, l'opposant arrêté après des mois de clandestinité?" [Accessed 25 June 2018]

Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme (OCDH). 28 February 2017. République du Congo: Une gouvernance par la terreur et le mépris des droits humains. Rapport annuel sur la situation des droits de l'homme 2016. [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme (OCDH). 10 February 2016. "L’opposant Serge Matsoulé, arbitrairement détenu à la DGST doit être libéré…" [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme (OCDH). February 2016. Rapport annuel : "Les droits de l’homme en souffrance". [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Ouest-France. 5 February 2018. "'Le lundi, c'est le jour le plus pénible'." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Pan African News Agency (Panapress). 21 December 2015. "L'opposition dénonce l'arrestation de ses militants par la police." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Portail242.Info. 10 January 2017. Gall Mombeti. "Congo : André Okombi Salissa arrêté." [Accessed 25 June 2018]

Republic of Congo. 10 January 2017. Ministère de l'Intérieur, de la Décentralisation et du Développement local, porte-parole de la police. "Communiqué de presse." [Accessed 25 June 2018]

Republic of Congo. N.d. Assemblée nationale. "La représentation nationale." [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Reuters. 24 March 2016. Christian Elion. "Congo's Sassou Nguesso Wins Re-Election, Opposition Vows Protests." [Accessed 28 June 2018]

La Semaine africaine. 13 January 2016. Cyr Amel Yabbat-Ngo. "Convention nationale de l’I.D.C-FROCAD : L’opposition congolaise entend renforcer et consolider sa cohésion." [Accessed 3 July 2018]

La Semaine africaine. 28 December 2011. "Le C.A.D.D.-M.J refuse de s'auto-dissoudre, comme le veut le P.C.T." [Accessed 27 June 2018]

United States (US). 20 April 2018. Department of State. "Republic of the Congo." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017. [Accessed 26 June 2018]

United States (US). 3 March 2017. Department of State. "Republic of the Congo." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016. [Accessed 26 June 2018]

United States (US). 13 April 2016. Department of State. "Republic of the Congo." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015. [Accessed 26 June 2018]

United States (US). 25 June 2015. Department of State. "Republic of the Congo." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014. [Accessed 26 June 2018]

West Africa Newsletter. 15 February 2017. "Sassou Nguesso Deals a Death Blow to His Foes." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Xinhua News Agency. 21 January 2015. "Congo : une association proche de la majorité se prononce contre le changement de la Constitution." (Factiva) [Accessed 26 June 2018]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Les Dépêches de Brazzaville; Les Échos du Congo Brazzaville; Entrecongolais.com; Journal de Brazza; Observatoire congolais des droits de l'homme.

Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; European Union – European Asylum Support Office; Freedom House; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Political Handbook of the World; UN – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights; Refworld; ReliefWeb.

Attachment

Convention pour l'action, la démocratie et le développement (CADD). 11 January 2017. Bureau exécutif restreint de la Coordination nationale. Declaration de la Convention pour l'action la démocratie et le développement (CADD) suite à l'arrestation arbitraire de l'honorable André Okombi Salissa président de la CADD. [Accessed 26 June 2018]