PROFILE : Congo Republic’s Sassou Nguesso wins re-election, interior minister announces

Record ID: 2365894

  • Title: PROFILE : Congo Republic’s Sassou Nguesso wins re-election, interior minister announces
  • Date: 10th March 2026
  • Summary: When the October 25, 2015 referendum took place, turnout in Brazzaville was low amid opposition boycotts, missing voter cards and near‑empty polling stations, but Sassou framed the vote as a show of national sovereignty, insisting Congolese were “a free and sovereign people” deciding their own future. Despite the low turnout, the referendum passed.  BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO (FIL
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Brazaville Congo Republic Sassou Nguesso africa civil war congo election presidency
  • Location: VARIOUS 
  • City: VARIOUS 
  • Country: Congo
  • Topics: Africa,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA002087604032026RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: SEE SHOTLIST FOR ADDITIONAL SCRIPTING DETAILS.
    Congo Republic President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected with 94.82% of the vote, Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou announced on state television on Tuesday (March 17), extending his nearly 42-year rule over the Central African oil producer.
       Diplomats and political analysts had expected an easy victory for Sassou, 82, who faced six little-known challengers in a race whose run-up was tightly managed by the ruling Congolese Labour Party.
       The main opposition parties declined to field candidates, citing a lack of transparency. Two of the country’s best-known opposition figures, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and André Okombi Salissa, have been in prison for nearly a decade.
       Sunday’s vote was marred by late openings at some polling stations and a nationwide internet shutdown.
       State television on Tuesday reported turnout of 84.65%, though many polling stations in Brazzaville on Sunday had short or non-existent lines.
       Defeated candidates have five days to file challenges. The Constitutional Court then has 15 days to review any petitions before releasing the final results.
    (Production: Raquel Muigai, Ngouda Dione) 
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