Presidential campaign starts in Congo-Brazzaville
The presidential election campaign in Congo-Brazzaville is set to commence on Sat, with President Denis Sassou Nguesso, aged 82, seeking to extend his lengthy tenure in power.
The presidential election campaign in Congo-Brazzaville is set to commence on Sat, with President Denis Sassou Nguesso, aged 82, seeking to extend his lengthy tenure in power.
Sassou Nguesso, a former military officer, first governed under a one-party system from 1979 to 1992 before losing to former prime minister Pascal Lissouba in the country's initial multi-party elections. He regained power in 1997 following a civil conflict.
He has announced his candidacy for a new five-year term, which would be his final term according to the constitution.
The campaign will begin on the Atlantic coast in Pointe-Noire, the country's economic and oil hub, with a rally hosted by the Congolese Labour Party (PCT). Campaigning concludes on Mar 13, with the first round of voting scheduled for Mar 15.
The presidential election campaign in Congo-Brazzaville is set to commence on Sat, with President Denis Sassou Nguesso, aged 82, seeking to extend his lengthy tenure in power.
Six opposition candidates, including 34-year-old Destin Gavin from the Republican Movement (MR), have confirmed their participation. However, the opposition is fragmented, with limited prospects of success against the ruling party's strong campaign.
Sassou Nguesso is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, with previous election victories in 2002 and 2009, and subsequent wins in 2016 and 2021 after constitutional amendments removed the age limit of 70 and extended the term limits.
Congo-Brazzaville, a former French colony rich in oil resources, faces significant poverty, with nearly half of its six million residents living below the poverty line.
Sassou Nguesso's electoral victories since 2002 have been consistently challenged by political opponents. Two candidates from the 2016 election, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, remain detained following convictions for "attacking internal security" in 2018 and 2019. They disputed the official results, which showed Sassou Nguesso winning 60 percent of the vote.
Non-governmental organizations and civil society frequently criticize civil liberties violations and threats against political opponents. Despite these challenges, Sassou Nguesso is noted for bringing stability to a nation previously affected by civil unrest in the 1990s and a region characterized by conflict.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
