2026 Republic of the Congo presidential election
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Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in the Republic of the Congo in 2026. Incumbent president Denis Sassou Nguesso has been in power since 1997, and removed the age limit for the president in 2015. The Rally for Democracy and Development, Movement of Republicans, and the People's Party formed the Alliance for Democratic Alternation in 2026 to contest the election.
Electoral system
The President of the Republic of the Congo is elected for a five-year term, with the possibility of a maximum of two re-elections. In the election, only the candidate who obtains an absolute majority of valid votes is elected. If no candidate reaches that majority, the two candidates with the highest votes face a second round twenty-one days after the results are announced by the Constitutional Court.[1] The age limit of 70 years was removed by a referendum in 2015.[2]
Background
Denis Sassou Nguesso has been president of the Republic of the Congo since 1997, and previously held the position from 1979 to 1992.[2] He won the 2002, 2009, 2016, and 2021 elections.[3]
The 2021 election was boycotted by the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS). Freedom House gave the Republic of the Congo a 2/40 for political rights in its 2024 report.[4]
Candidates
In 2023, the Rally for Democracy and Development (RDD), Movement of Republicans (MR), and the People's Party (PAPE) formed an united opposition, the Alliance for Democratic Alternation in 2026 (2AD2026). RDD was the political party of Joachim Yhombi-Opango, who served as president from 1977 to 1979.[3][5]
Lassy Mbouity, the leader of Les Socialistes Congolais, declared his candidacy for the election. However, he was kidnapped on 11 May 2025.[6]
Nguesso's son Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso was elected to the National Assembly. It is believed that Nguesso is grooming his son to succeed him.[7][8]
References
- ^ "Congo, Brazzaville, Constitution 2015". Digithèque de matériaux juridiques et politiques. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Congo-Brazzaville 'dinosaur' remains in region beset by military juntas". Voice of America. 2 May 2024. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Congo: a new opposition platform for an alternative in 2026". Africanews. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Republic of the Congo: Freedom in the World 2024 Country Report". Freedom House. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Opposition coalition in Republic of Congo holds first convention". Al Jazeera English. 8 May 2023. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025.
- ^ "Congo's opposition leader kidnapped in Brazzaville". Africanews. 17 May 2025. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025.
- ^ Tampa, Vava (10 April 2021). "Sassou rules like an emperor while Congolese die from extreme poverty". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025.
- ^ Melly, Paul (29 May 2021). "Africa's political dynasties: How presidents groom their sons for power". BBC. Archived from the original on 4 July 2025.