Congolese President Sassou Nguesso wins fifth term: Provisional results

Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s election success will extend his nearly 42 years in power.Republic of Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso has been re-elected for a fifth consecutive term, extending his nearly 42 years in power, according to provisional results.On Tuesday, Interior Minister Raymond Zephirin Mboulou announced on state TV that Sassou Nguesso received 94.82 percent of Sunday’s vote.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Iraq coach urges FIFA to delay World Cup playoff amid regional travel chaoslist 2 of 3UN aid worker killed in drone strike in DR Congo’s rebel-held Gomalist 3 of 3Ex-Belgian diplomat ordered to stand trial over murder of Congo’s Lumumbaend of listState television also reported turnout of 84.65 percent; however, many polling stations in the capital, Brazzaville, on Sunday had short lines or no lines at all.Sassou Nguesso, 82, was projected by analysts and diplomats to easily win the election after he ran against six candidates who were less well known.BoycottTwo key parties had boycotted the elections over allegations of unfair electoral practices, with two of the best-known opposition figures, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko and Andre Okombi Salissa, imprisoned for nearly 10 years.But in the run-up to the election, the internet was shut down as usual during a presidential vote, and traffic was restricted across the capital.Supporters of incumbent President of the Republic of Congo and presidential candidate Denis Sassou Nguesso stand on the side of the road as they wait for him to arrive at a polling station in Brazzaville on March 15, 2026 [Daniel Beloumou Olomo/AFP]Clarisse Massamba, a teacher who voted at the Lyce Javoueh in Brazzaville, told The Associated Press news agency that it was a given that Sassou Nguesso would win the election.“Everyone knows that, faced with his six inexperienced opponents, President Denis Sassou Nguesso will be re-elected with a high score as usual. Since the election is not a big issue, we shouldn’t cut off communication,” Massamba said.