Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo – Denis Sassou Nguesso has secured a sixth term as President of the Republic of the Congo, extending his rule to nearly 42 years. State television reported on Tuesday, March 18, 2026, that Nguesso won the election with 94.82% of the vote. The outcome, while widely anticipated, comes amidst concerns over transparency and restrictions on opposition groups.
The election saw a significant degree of opposition boycott, with most parties citing a lack of transparency as their reason for not participating. Several prominent opposition figures remain imprisoned, including General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, who have been detained for nearly a decade, according to reports.
Election day was marked by challenges, including delayed polling station openings and a nationwide internet blackout. Human rights activists reported arrests and increased monitoring of public gatherings in the lead-up to the vote. The reported voter turnout was 84.65%, though observers noted inconsistencies, with some polling stations in Brazzaville experiencing minimal activity.
Sassou Nguesso, 82, first came to power in 1979 and has governed almost continuously since, with a brief period out of office in the 1990s. A 2015 constitutional amendment removed term limits, allowing him to repeatedly seek re-election. He ran against six relatively unknown challengers in the recent election.
The Republic of Congo is the third-largest oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa and a significant producer of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Despite its natural resources, the country faces significant political and economic challenges. Freedom House rates the Republic of Congo as one of the most politically repressive countries in the world, giving it a score of 17 out of 100 for freedom.
International reactions to the election results have begun to surface. Morocco’s King Mohammed VI congratulated Sassou Nguesso on his re-election, as reported by SNRTnews. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon also extended his congratulations, according to Afrik. The development underscores the continued influence of long-standing leaders in the region and could shape future diplomatic engagements.
