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Six opposition candidates in Congo-Brazzaville have announced their bids to challenge long-time President Denis Sassou Nguesso in the upcoming presidential election on March 15.
The electoral authority confirmed the contenders on Friday, with a list that includes diverse figures from various political backgrounds.
At 82, Sassou Nguesso, who has ruled the oil-rich nation for over four decades, is one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. His tenure places him among the continent’s most enduring heads of state, alongside Paul Biya of Cameroon and Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea. However, the 82-year-old faces challenges from opposition candidates, though none are expected to pose a significant threat to his reign.
The six opposition contenders include 34-year-old Destin Gavet of the Republican Movement (MR), the youngest. Gavet is joined by law professor Vivien Manangou, Zinga Mabio Mavoungou from the Alliance Party, and Dave Mafoula of the Sovereignists, all of whom had previously contested the 2021 election.
Additionally, the list includes presidential election regulars Joseph Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou, who ran against Sassou Nguesso as early as 2002, and Anguios Nganguia Engambe, who is standing for the fourth consecutive time. Despite this lineup, political observers remain sceptical about the opposition’s chances of success.
Sassou Nguesso benefits from a fragmented opposition and tight control over the political landscape, including backing from his ruling Congolese Workers’ Party (PCT). Notably, neither of the two major opposition movements, the Pan-African Union for Social Democracy (UPADS) or the Union of Humanist Democrats (UDH-Yuki), has put forward a candidate for this election.
The Constitutional Court is still to validate the candidates’ applications before the official publication of the final list. Campaigning will officially begin on February 28 and continue until March 13.
