Congo-Brazzaville’s 82-year-old President Denis Sassou Nguesso vowed to extend his decades-long rule as campaigning began Saturday.
Thousands of supporters cheered as Sassou Nguesso rode through Pointe-Noire in an open-topped car during a rally for his Congolese Labour Party.
Campaigning will close on March 13, with the first round of presidential voting scheduled for March 15 across the nation.
Six opposition candidates, including newcomer Destin Gavin, 34, from the Republican Movement, have formally registered to contest the presidency.
But the fragmented opposition faces slim chances, with ruling party posters promising a “wave” in favour of the veteran leader.
“Have no fear, on March 15, we will win!” Sassou Nguesso declared, wearing a white shirt decorated with an elephant symbol.
The career military officer first led under a one-party system from 1979 to 1992 before losing multi-party elections to Pascal Lissouba.
He returned to power after overthrowing Lissouba in a civil war in 1997 and has won multiple subsequent elections amid constitutional changes.
Sassou Nguesso ranks among Africa’s longest-serving leaders, alongside Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Equatorial Guinea’s Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
Congo-Brazzaville, rich in oil, sees nearly half of its six million people living below the poverty line, despite economic promises.
Some young supporters cited hardship, with nurse Flora Kouka calling for jobs and relief, even as they backed the president at the rally.
Sassou Nguesso praised infrastructure, fossil fuel, and farming developments, claiming his generation is preparing youth to “pick up the torch one day.”
Opponents have challenged his victories since 2002, with two 2016 candidates jailed over charges linked to “attacking internal security.”
NGOs warn of civil liberty violations and intimidation of political opponents, yet Sassou Nguesso retains a reputation for stabilising the country after civil war.
