AU Takes Note of Congo Vote as Denis Sassou Nguesso Secures Another Victory

Addis Ababa, March 30, 2026 (ENA) —The African Union has taken note of the results of the recent presidential election in Congo, as announced by the Constitutional Court, with African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf extending congratulations to President Denis Sassou Nguesso on his re-election.

He also commended the Congolese people for the conduct of the vote and encouraged all stakeholders to continue efforts toward strengthening peace, national cohesion, and democracy, while reaffirming the African Union’s readiness to support the country in consolidating stability, democratic governance, and development.

The Constitutional Court has validated the results of the March 15 presidential poll, confirming Nguesso’s victory with 94.90% of the vote, defeating six candidates.

The figures show a slight increase from the provisional results of 94.82% announced earlier by Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou.

According to a statement by Constitutional Court President Auguste Iloki, the court dismissed a petition filed by candidate Dave Mafoula, who had sought to annul the election over alleged irregularities.

Voter turnout exceeded 85%, with approximately 2.6 million people casting ballots.

Nguesso, 82, is expected to be inaugurated for a new term on April 16. The election, however, was marked by controversy, as two major opposition candidates boycotted the process, citing concerns over fairness.

Nguesso, one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders, first came to power in 1979, lost the 1992 election, and went into exile in France before returning in 1997 to regain power following an armed uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Pascal Lissouba.

Since then, he has remained dominant in the country’s political landscape.

Running under the Congolese Party of Labor, his latest victory marks a fifth consecutive term following earlier wins in 2002, 2009, 2016, and 2021, after constitutional changes in 2015 reset term limits and removed the presidential age cap.