Congo leader rallies crowd ahead of vote

Thousands of supporters dressed in presidential colours lined a street in Congo-Brazzaville's capital on Friday for Denis Sassou Nguesso's final campaign rally ahead of a presidential election today that is expected to extend his more than four-decade rule.

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IN IT TO WIN IT: Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso gestures during his final campaign rally ahead of today's presidential election, in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, on Friday.

In the intense heat, the 82-year-old strongman, dressed in a white shirt decorated with his own portrait, vowed to "clean up public life" by holding inquiries and making "examples" of people.

"Shame on the thieves, shame on the corrupters and shame on the corrupted!" he declared to cheers from the flag-waving crowd, gathered in front of VIP stands where party officials and other dignitaries were packed together.