Polls open in Congo Republic with internet cut as Sassou Nguesso seeks new term

Record ID: 2365282

  • Title: Polls open in Congo Republic with internet cut as Sassou Nguesso seeks new term
  • Date: 15th March 2026
  • Summary: BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO REPUBLIC (MARCH 15, 2026) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF POLLING STATION / PEOPLE WALKING  VARIOUS OF POLLING STATION STAFF PREPARING FOR VOTING POLLING STATION PRESIDENT HANDING OVER VOTING DOCUMENTATION TO ELECTION OFFICIAL  BALLOT PAPER POLLING STATION PRESIDENT CASTING FIRST VOTE AT CENTER (SOUNDBITE) (French) BRAZZAVILLE RESIDENT, GIGI WANDIABANTOU, SAYING:
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Congo Denis Economy Elections Finance Government Nguesso Politics Poll President Republic Sassou Voting
  • Location: BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO REPUBLIC / INTERNET 
  • City: BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO REPUBLIC / INTERNET 
  • Country: Congo
  • Topics: Africa,Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
  • Reuters ID: LVA001241009032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:Polling stations opened in the Republic of Congo on Sunday (March 15) as voters began casting ballots in a presidential election marked by a nationwide internet outage that monitors said reduced connectivity to a fraction of normal levels.
       An internet blackout was reported across the country as voting got underway, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks, which said connectivity had fallen to around 3% of ordinary levels. “We confirm that a nation-scale internet blackout is now in effect in the Republic of Congo, a measure likely to limit transparency during today's election,” NetBlocks director Alp Toker said in an email to Reuters.
       At polling stations in the capital Brazzaville, election officials prepared ballot papers and voters lined up to cast their ballots as voting began. “We all know that after elections there is always some movement, but we want peace,” said Doeriche Tsimbassidi, another Brazzaville resident. “We want the new president who will come to bring change in our Congo.”
       More than 3.2 million Congolese are registered to vote. Polls are expected to close at 6 p.m. local time, with provisional results anticipated within 48 to 72 hours. 
    (Production: Ngouda Dione, Berdy Pambou)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2026. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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