At 82 years old, the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, who first came to power on February 5, 1979, has announced his candidacy for the presidential election on March 15, 2026. He made the announcement on the sidelines of the Great Agricultural Fair of the Congo this Thursday, February 5, 2026, in the locality of Bambou-Mingali, north of Brazzaville. Each candidate for the March 15 presidential election must submit their application to the General Directorate of Electoral Affairs no later than February 12, 2026.
At 82, the President of the Republic of the Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, is aiming for a fifth term with the announcement of his candidacy for the presidential election on March 15, 2026. The head of state made this announcement on February 5, 2026, a historic date, as it marks his first accession to the supreme magistracy on February 5, 1979.
I say that I will accompany this movement because it will gain momentum. I will accompany this movement and, I tell you directly that for this, I will submit my candidacy.
Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic
This announcement, made during the Great Agricultural Fair of the Congo, symbolizes the challenges and prospects of a new term. In a context of economic diversification, job creation for youth, and regional challenges, President Denis Sassou Nguesso, drawing on his experience, will present an impactful program to convince voters.
The challenge you issued to the territories has therefore been met. Ladies and gentlemen, this fair is not a temporary showcase; it is a national endeavor, a political decision in the highest sense—that of placing the land at the center of the national project. In a country that wants to develop its agriculture, the challenge is not only to produce but to organize the market. That is why this exhibition park is not a symbol; it is a tool. A tool for commerce, training, and national mobilization.
In the Republic of the Congo, the campaign for submitting candidacy applications is open from January 28 to February 12, 2026, for all citizens meeting the required criteria.