Denis Sassou-Nguesso, 82 years old and with 42 years already in power, has been re-elected for another term as president of Congo-Brazzaville. The results of the presidential election on March 15, 2026, give him 94.82% of the vote. This victory, announced by Interior Minister Raymond Zéphyrin Mboulou on national television, extends his rule until 2031.
The election took place in a particular context. Internet access was cut off on election day, a measure that prompted some residents to seek connections on the other side of the Congo River, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In addition, the main opposition parties boycotted the election, denouncing unfair electoral practices. Two opposition figures, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and André Okombi Salissa, have been imprisoned since 2018 and 2019, having been sentenced to 20 years in prison for "undermining internal security".
Official figures show 2,507,038 votes for Sassou-Nguesso, with a participation rate of 84.65%. In comparison, the six other candidates received less than 2% of the votes each. Destin Gavet, who claimed victory before the results were announced, finished with 0.87%. However, journalists on the ground reported empty polling stations and a strong military presence in the capital.
Sassou-Nguesso first came to power in 1979. His long rule has been marked by criticism regarding the distribution of the country's oil wealth and accusations of corruption. In 2015, a constitutional referendum removed presidential age and term limits, allowing him to run again.
The Constitutional Court has 15 days to validate the final results of this election. At 87, Denis Sassou-Nguesso is preparing to begin a new five-year term as head of Congo-Brazzaville.
