Sassou Nguesso Becomes President

Date: February 8, 1979 • Location: Rome, Italy

Denis Sassou Nguesso (pictured) was chosen as the new President of the Republic of the Congo after Joachim Yhombi-Opango was forced from power.

Denis Sassou Nguesso is a Congolese politician and former military officer who has served as president of the Republic of the Congo since 1997. He also previously served as president of the People's Republic of the Congo from 1979 to 1992.