Republic of Congo’s President Denis Sassou N’guesso confirmed Thursday that he will seek another term in the upcoming March 15 presidential election, potentially extending his decades-long rule in the Central African nation.
The 82-year-old announced his candidacy while visiting an agricultural fair in Bambou Mingali, roughly 60 kilometers north of the capital, Brazzaville.
Sassou N’guesso first took power in 1979 and remained president until 1992, when he placed third in a contested election. In 1997, after a brief civil war, he returned to the presidency as a militia leader and has maintained control ever since, winning four elections amid a divided opposition.
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Only the leaders of Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon have governed longer on the African continent. A 2015 referendum eliminated presidential term and age limits, keeping Sassou N’guesso eligible to remain in office.
As in previous campaigns, he faces no major opposition. The Pan-African Union for Social Democracy, the main opposition party, announced last week it will not nominate a candidate. The president is expected to run against roughly a dozen lesser-known candidates.
Authorities moved up the election date from March 22 to March 15 last month without providing an explanation, the AP reported. Among those seeking office are independent Alexis Bongo and former rebel leader Frederic Bintsamou, widely known as Pastor Ntoumi. The ruling Congolese Labor Party has already confirmed Sassou N’guesso as its candidate.
Despite being an oil-rich nation, Congo faces severe economic challenges. World Bank data show youth unemployment at about 42%, and only 15% of residents in rural areas have access to electricity. The country’s 5.61 million people continue to grapple with widespread poverty.
