New Delhi, March 19 -- The Republic of Congo 's President Denis Sassou N'Guesso, who has ruled for 42 years, was reelected for a fifth consecutive term, according to provisional results announced Tuesday by authorities.

Sassou N'Guesso won 94,82% of the vote, Interior Minister Raymond Zephirin Mboulou said on state television.

Six other candidates challenged the 82-year-old for the top job in the Central African country that boasts one of the largest oil reserves in sub-Saharan Africa.

The internet was shut down across the country as usual during the presidential election and traffic was restricted across the capital.

The election is the latest in a trend of octogenarian African leaders clinging to power. Sassou N'Guesso is the third-...