Sassou Nguesso Re-Elected in Landslide, Extending Decades-Long Rule

Congo-Brazzaville’s veteran leader Denis Sassou Nguesso has secured re-election with an overwhelming majority, winning nearly 95% of the vote according to provisional results.

The outcome extends his rule—spanning over four decades—for an additional five-year term in the oil-rich Central African country. Interior Minister Raymond Zephyrin Mboulou announced that Sassou Nguesso garnered 94.8% of the vote, with turnout reaching 84.65%.

While the results still await validation by the Constitutional Court, the fragmented and largely absent opposition has raised limited challenge to the outcome.

At 82, Sassou Nguesso campaigned on his economic record, emphasizing infrastructure development and efforts to diversify the economy through gas and agriculture. Despite continued reliance on oil revenues, economic growth is projected at 2.9% in 2025.

Although the constitution prevents him from seeking another term in 2031, uncertainty remains over succession. The president has signaled he will eventually step aside but has not identified a potential successor.

A dominant figure in Congolese politics, Sassou Nguesso first came to power in 1979, briefly lost office in the early 1990s, and returned following a 1997 civil war. He has since consolidated his position through successive elections.

Source: Newstimehub