BRAZZAVILLE— President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso is currently observing self-isolation after being in contact with COVID-19 patient, the Congolese government announced on Saturday, noting that the president tested negative for COVID-19.

The president is “required to observe a period of self-isolation,” after “several close members of the president’s entourage recently tested positive for COVID-19,” the Congolese government said in a statement, reaffirming the president has tested negative.

The Congolese president “exercises his functions in the fullness of the competences devolved to him by the Constitution and continues to work with various institutions” of the country, said the Congolese government.

The Congolese presidency announced on Friday the cancellation of the president’s attendance to the Turkey-Africa summit, held from Dec. 17 to 18 in Istanbul.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK