By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Republic of Congo is preparing for its presidential election scheduled for March 15, 2026. The Central African country has six presidential candidates challenging the incumbent 82-year-old President Dennis Sassou Nguesso, who has spent at least 42 years in power.
Last month, President Nguesso launched his campaign at Pointe-Noire, the country’s commercial nerve centre, and was the first to commence his campaign among the seven presidential candidates gearing up for the election. The ruling PCT dominates the politics of Congo, and there are also concerns about the independence of the electoral body. Elections are held every five years in Congo; however, the ruling party dominates the process.
Although supporters of the incumbent president maintain that the 82-year-old President Nguesso is determined to ensure a prosperous Congo. Yet, the oil-rich nation is deeply troubled by poverty, as nearly half of its population of about 6.4 million lives on less than a dollar per day.
It remains uncertain how the outcome of the upcoming election will significantly impact the country.
