Congo-Brazzaville's president set to extend four-decade rule

Presidential Election in the Republic of Congo

The Republic of Congo is holding a presidential election on Sun, Mar 21, 2021, where incumbent President Dennis Sassou Nguesso is seeking a fifth consecutive term. Approximately three million individuals are registered to vote in this election.

President Sassou Nguesso, aged 82, is running for re-election against six other candidates. However, the main opposition is fragmented and not fully participating. Notably, two prominent opposition leaders are currently imprisoned, and several opposition parties have chosen to boycott the election, citing concerns over the credibility of the process.

Voter turnout is anticipated to be low, according to observers. During the campaign period, which concluded on Fri, Mar 19, 2021, President Sassou Nguesso, supported by the ruling Congolese Workers' Party (PCT), conducted a nationwide tour, encouraging voter participation.

In the final campaign event in Brazzaville, Sassou Nguesso emphasized national security. His tenure has been marked by claims of stability, though rights organizations have criticized the government's treatment of opposition activists. Two opposition figures, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, were sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges related to national security threats.

During the campaign, President Sassou Nguesso highlighted his economic achievements, including infrastructure modernization and developments in the gas and agriculture sectors aimed at achieving self-sufficiency. Despite these efforts, over half of the population lives in poverty. The economy, heavily reliant on oil and gas, is projected to grow by 2.9% in 2025. However, high-level corruption allegations have been reported, with investigations initiated in several jurisdictions, including France.

If re-elected, Sassou Nguesso is constitutionally barred from running again in 2031. He has indicated support for a generational transition in leadership but has not specified a potential successor.

Sassou Nguesso initially led the country from 1979 to 1992 under a one-party system and returned to power following a civil war in 1997. He has been re-elected in 2002, 2009, 2016, and 2021, although these elections have been criticized by the opposition for lacking transparency and democratic integrity.

The Republic of Congo is the third-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa, with hydrocarbons constituting over three-quarters of its export earnings. Voting stations are scheduled to open at 7:00 am and close at 6:00 pm local time (1700 GMT).

Based on reporting by Africanews.