Sassou-Nguesso Takes Oath as President

Gen. Denis Sassou-Nguesso was sworn in as president after winning through war the power he could not hold on to in peace. In Brazzaville, a crumbling capital virtually destroyed by Sassou-Nguesso’s four-month battle with ousted President Pascal Lissouba, the military leader was returned to the post he first held from 1979 until 1991, when public discontent forced him out. Sassou-Nguesso’s attempt to win back the presidency in 1992, in the country’s first multi-party elections, ended in his defeat by Lissouba. It ignited a political rivalry that exploded in violence June 5 and ended with Sassou-Nguesso’s Oct. 15 military victory.