Africa-Press. The President of the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville, Denis Sassou Nguesso, aged 82, has officially announced his candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for March 15. The announcement was made during his visit to Bambo Mingali, about 60 kilometers north of the capital Brazzaville, where he inaugurated the country’s first major agricultural fair.
In his opening speech, Sassou Nguesso praised the efforts of farmers and young people working in agricultural production, commending their courage and commitment, and stressing that the movement was set to expand.
“I will support this movement because it will grow… and for that reason, I will be a candidate,” he said, clearly signaling his decision to enter the presidential race ahead of the February 12 deadline for submitting candidacies.
The ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT) had unanimously designated him as its candidate on December 30, extending a political career spanning more than four decades. Sassou Nguesso first came to power in 1979 under a one-party system and remained in office until 1992, when he lost the country’s first multiparty elections. He returned to power after the 1997 civil war and went on to win the 2002 and 2009 elections. In 2015, he amended the Constitution to remove the two-term presidential limit.
His announcement has sparked a wave of criticism within the political arena. Destin Gavet, a 36-year-old candidate from the Republican Movement, said it was unacceptable for Sassou Nguesso to remain in power after 41 years, stating: “We had hoped that reason would prevail… but he refused to leave power with dignity. We will therefore force him out through the back door.”
Similarly, Clément Mierassa, leader of the Congolese Social Democratic Party and head of the Coalition of Forces for Change, challenged the legitimacy of the candidacy, arguing that the president has not declared his assets and cannot simultaneously hold the presidency of the state and the party. “The president does not respect the law… if democracy were functioning properly, he would not even be eligible,” he said.
The country is now expected to face a highly charged election campaign amid deep political divisions and renewed calls for more profound democratic reforms ahead of the vote.
