What You Need to Know
As the presidential elections in the Republic of Congo approach in March, political actors from both the ruling party and the opposition are engaging in preliminary dialogues in the city of Gambala. This four-day meeting aims to create a conducive political climate for a peaceful electoral process, particularly as President Denis Sassou Nguesso seeks re-election.
Africa-Press. Before less than a month until the presidential elections scheduled for March in the Republic of Congo, several political actors from both the ruling party and the opposition began preliminary dialogues in the city of Gambala, located in the central part of the country. This meeting lasts for four days, from February 16 to 19, with the aim of preparing the political climate to ensure a calm and smooth presidential election.
These preparations are taking place amid the candidacy of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 82, who has led the country for over four decades, giving the dialogue special significance in light of increasing calls for transparency in the electoral process. Participants in the dialogue arrived in Gambala by air on Monday, February 16, a city located more than 350 kilometers from the capital, Brazzaville.
Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso chaired the opening session, attended by more than a hundred prominent political figures, emphasizing that the main goal of this meeting is to strengthen communication bridges between the various parties.
He stated, “Consultation enhances relationships between the parties involved and creates more effective political cooperation, leading to a more peaceful society. To achieve this, we must overcome our emotions, biases, and stubbornness.”
It is customary for authorities to hold such meetings before major elections, referred to as “political dialogue” or “consultation,” which typically aims to ensure the organization of presidential elections without tensions.
However, the current dialogue has recorded the absence of two of the six opposition candidates due to their parties not receiving approval from the Ministry of the Interior to participate.
In this context, Distan Gafit, a candidate from the opposition Republican Movement Party, called for adherence to the outcomes of the dialogue and the effective implementation of its recommendations.
He said, “We want the recommendations resulting from this consultation to be automatically applied to the upcoming elections, unlike what we have witnessed in the past.” The opposition has renewed its demands for biometric voting instead of traditional manual voting, a request that has not yet been addressed.
The results of this political dialogue are expected to contribute to calming the internal landscape and providing a more transparent electoral atmosphere before heading to the polls next month.
The Republic of Congo has a history of political tension surrounding elections, often marked by allegations of irregularities and lack of transparency. The upcoming presidential elections are particularly significant as President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been in power for over four decades, leading to increased scrutiny and calls for a fair electoral process. Political dialogues like the one in Gambala are customary before major elections, aiming to mitigate tensions and foster cooperation among political entities.
