Voters in the Republic of Congo turned out in low numbers on Sunday for a presidential election widely expected to hand 82-year-old Denis Sassou Nguesso another five-year term, prolonging his more than four-decade dominance of the oil-rich Central African nation.
Polling stations opened at 7:00 am local time, but observers noted very sparse participation in many areas, including the capital Brazzaville, where some sites recorded only a few voters hours into the process.
Several stations reportedly lacked complete election materials at opening. Voting ended at 6:00 pm, with provisional results expected in the coming days.Sassou Nguesso, a former paratrooper and one of Africa's longest-ruling leaders, first governed from 1979 to 1992 under a one-party Marxist system.
After losing multi-party polls, he regained power in 1997 through a civil war victory and has since secured re-elections in 2002, 2009, 2016, and 2021 often amid opposition boycotts and allegations of irregularities.
Six candidates challenged him this time, but the opposition remains deeply divided, weakened, and in many cases suppressed. Key rivals from past contests, such as General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, are serving long prison sentences on charges widely criticised as politically motivated.
Campaigning under the ruling Congolese Workers’ Party (PCT), Sassou Nguesso focused on security, infrastructure, gas development, agriculture, and economic growthciting projected 2.9% GDP expansion for 2025, largely oil-driven.
Critics highlight persistent poverty affecting over half the population, corruption allegations involving state oil funds, and restricted political freedoms.
In a recent interview, the president said he would not stay in power indefinitely and that younger generations would eventually lead, though the constitution bars him from running again in 2031 meaning a victory today would be his final possible term.
An elderly voter, Georgine, told reporters: “Denis Sassou will win. It’s normal for a citizen to go vote who thinks, ‘I chose President Denis Sassou Nguesso, he’s the one who will bring peace.’'
The poll takes place against Congo's strong ties with France and Russia, with hydrocarbons dominating the economy. Low turnout and opposition absence reflect ongoing debates about democratic progress versus entrenched leadership continuity in the former French colony.
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