Congo’s court confirms Denis Nguesso’s re-election

The Constitutional Court of Congo has upheld the re-election of President Denis Sassou Nguesso, confirming his victory in the March 15, 2026, presidential election with 94.9 per cent of the vote.

The ruling was announced on Saturday by the president of the Constitutional Court, Auguste Iloki, at the end of a hearing in Brazzaville.

The figure is slightly higher than the 94.82 per cent earlier declared by Interior Minister Raymond Zephirin Mboulou on March 17.

The court also dismissed an appeal filed by opposition candidates, including Uphrem Dave Mafoula, who had challenged the outcome of the election.

Mafoula, who placed third with 1.03 per cent of the vote, submitted his complaint on March 20, alleging irregularities in the electoral process and seeking the annulment of the results. The effort, however, did not succeed.

Under Congolese law, candidates, political parties, and voters are allowed to file complaints over major irregularities that could affect the credibility of an election.

In its decision, the court effectively upheld the results, aligning with the position of the African Union observer mission, which said the voting process reflected political maturity and highlighted indicators of free, fair, and credible elections.

The outcome had been widely anticipated by observers of Congo’s political landscape, who pointed to a fragmented and weak opposition as a key factor.

Seven candidates contested the election, but none mounted a serious challenge against the incumbent.

During the campaign, President Nguesso toured the country, presenting his record and outlining plans focused on development, governance, the fight against corruption, and national stability.

His message of peace and continuity appeared to resonate with many voters, particularly young people, among whom he was described as a great builder and a champion of peace.

Beyond economic promises, Nguesso pledged to intensify the fight against corruption.

According to him, the approach would shift from prevention to punishment. He stated that this time examples must be made, a message seen by many as directed both at public institutions and within his own political camp.

The election result also carries implications for Congo’s foreign relations.

President Nguesso said he would continue to maintain ties with countries whose diplomacy is succinct and free of destabilisation, with particular reference to the Russian Federation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first world leader to acknowledge the victory. The two leaders have maintained long-standing relations, meeting twice in 2025 in Moscow and Beijing during events marking the 80th anniversary of victory in World War II.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame also sent a congratulatory message on March 18, highlighting the friendly and brotherly ties between the two countries. Rwanda opened its embassy in Congo in August 2016.

As Nguesso begins what he has described as his final constitutional term, attention is turning to the country’s future, including succession, institutional stability, and economic reforms.

Government projections show plans to increase electricity capacity to 1,500 megawatts by 2030 under a national energy pact. Between 2021 and 2025, electricity access rose from 49 per cent to 59 per cent, with 75 per cent coverage in urban areas and 25 per cent in rural communities.

Youth unemployment has been estimated at around 19 per cent in recent years, contributing to an overall unemployment rate of about 40 per cent.

In infrastructure, about 30 kilometres of road are currently under construction or reconstruction between Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville.

Congo’s oil-dependent revenues have also stabilised after a prolonged recession, with the country remaining one of the largest oil producers in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nguesso, who has been in power since 1997 after an earlier period in office from 1979 to 1992, now enters a new phase of leadership, which he described as his last.