Seventeen people have died in clashes that erupted in the wake of President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s disputed re-election, according to a government statement released on national television and radio.

Gun battles broke out on Monday in southern Brazzaville, an opposition stronghold, shattering the relative calm since the March 20 election that opposition candidates say was fraudulent, France 24 reported on Wednesday.

Three police officers and two gunmen were killed in the clashes, police spokesman Jules Monkala Tchoumou said.

Source : MENA