Voter turnout down in Congo-Brazzaville as president set to extend rule
On Sunday, Congo-Brazzaville held an election anticipated to extend the tenure of 82-year-old President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Having served for over four decades, Sassou Nguesso is among Africa's longest-serving leaders. Six candidates contested against…
On Sunday, Congo-Brazzaville held an election anticipated to extend the tenure of 82-year-old President Denis Sassou Nguesso. Having served for over four decades, Sassou Nguesso is among Africa's longest-serving leaders. Six candidates contested against him; however, the primary opposition was fragmented, suggesting a likely victory for Sassou Nguesso for another five-year term.
Reports indicated a potential low voter turnout. Observers noted ballot boxes were only half full at some locations by the close of polling at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT). The president, backed by the ruling Congolese Workers' Party (PCT), campaigned across the country, urging citizens to participate in the election. He cast his vote in the Ouenze district of the capital, amidst military presence and supporters.
During the election campaign, Sassou Nguesso emphasized the importance of security. Despite claims of stability, rights groups have accused his administration of persecuting opposition figures. Two prominent opposition leaders from the 2016 election, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, are currently imprisoned for allegedly posing a "threat to internal security."
On Sunday, Congo-Brazzaville held an election anticipated to extend the tenure of 82-year-old President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
Sassou Nguesso highlighted his economic achievements during the campaign, focusing on infrastructure modernization and the development of the gas and agriculture sectors to achieve self-sufficiency. While the oil and gas sectors remain key revenue sources, generating an estimated growth of 2.9 percent for 2025, over half of the population lives below the poverty line. Critics argue that substantial state oil revenue has been misappropriated by senior officials, leading to multiple criminal investigations.
Although Sassou Nguesso's re-election appears likely, constitutional constraints prohibit him from contesting in 2031, raising questions about future leadership succession. He has stated he will not remain "in power forever" and emphasized that the younger generation will eventually assume leadership, although he has not identified a potential successor.
Sassou Nguesso initially led the country under a one-party system from 1979 to 1992, lost the first multi-party elections, and subsequently returned to power following a civil war in 1997. He has since been re-elected in 2002, 2009, 2016, and 2021, amidst opposition claims of non-transparent and undemocratic electoral processes.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
