Ferdinand Mbahou

Ferdinand Mbahou is a Congolese military figure who served as Congo-Brazzaville's Director of Presidential Security from 1992 to 1997, under President Pascal Lissouba.

Background and career Mbahou, an ethnic Bembe and native of Bouenza who held the rank of colonel, was Lissouba's Director of Presidential Security from 1992 to 1997. In October 1997, when Lissouba was ousted by rebels loyal to Denis Sassou Nguesso at the conclusion of a civil war, Mbahou fled into exile. While in exile, he remained sympathetic to the opposition to Sassou Nguesso and met with the opposition leader Emmanuel Ngouélondélé.

Return from exile After nearly 12 years in exile, Mbahou returned to Congo-Brazzaville on 15 July 2009. He was promptly arrested on 21 July,

Mbahou continued to actively oppose the government of President Sassou Nguesso. In 2013 he called for civil disobedience if Sassou Nguesso attempted to change the constitution in order to enable himself to run for re-election in 2016.