FORMER PRESIDENT of the Republic of Congo Jacques Jaoquim Yhombi-Opango has died after contracting COVID-19.

Yhombi-Opango died in Paris aged 81.

The former leader’s death was announced by his family, Al Jazeera reported.

Yhombi-Opango was ill prior to suffering complications related to the coronavirus.

A former army officer, Yhombi-Opango ascended to power following the assassination of president Marien Ngouabi.

He was accused of taking part in a coup plot against Sassou Nguesso and jailed from 1987 to 1990.

He served as prime minister from 1994 until civil war broke out in 1997 when he went into exile in France.

Yhombi-Opango returned to his homeland a decade later.

Yesterday France reported its highest single day death toll. A total of 418 people died of COVID-19 in the country.