Republic of Congo to Hold Presidential Election on March 15 Brazzaville, Republic of Congo — The Republic of Congo has scheduled its presidential election for March 15, as announced by government spokesperson Thierry Moungalla.
The election date adheres to the Constitution, which stipulates that presidential elections must take place at least 30 days and no more than 40 days prior to the end of the current presidential term. Incumbent President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who took office on April 16, 2021, is expected to seek re-election.
The Congolese Labour Party (PCT) has already nominated Sassou-Nguesso as its candidate. Potential opponents include former rebel leader Frédéric Bintsamou, also known as Pastor Ntumi, and Dave Mafoula, who was the youngest candidate in the last presidential election. Sassou-Nguesso first came to power in 1979, was defeated in the first multi-party elections in 1992 by Pascal Lissouba, and returned to power in 1997 following a civil war.
In 2015, he overturned the constitutional limit on presidential terms, allowing him to run for a third term.
The Congolese government has been in the international spotlight due to a high — profile investigation in France.
In 2017, individuals close to President Sassou-Nguesso were indicted for “laundering of public funds “in the so-called “ill-gotten gains “affair, which also targets the ruling families in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
The electoral administration has yet to set deadlines for the submission of candidacies.
As the election approaches, the nation awaits further details on the nomination process and the broader electoral schedule. Further details are expected as the election preparations unfold.
