Brazzaville heads into March 15 vote as turnout looms over Congo election

Описание: (12 Mar 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brazzaville, Republic of Congo – 10 March 2026
1. People walking in street, billboard displaying candidate and President of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, in background
2. Billboards displaying several candidates at roundabout
3. Close of a billboard displaying Nguesso and text reading (French): “The DSN candidate is the choice for our future”
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Fridolin Ambamba Balossa, Brazzaville resident:
“Candidate and President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who today embodies experience (among the other candidates) in the noble management of our country. And I think that today, given his experience, no one can challenge him (for the presidency).”
5. Various of billboards displaying candidates
6. People walking
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Gédéon (no surname provided), Brazzaville resident:
“Many young people are unemployed. Some have degrees, but they are stuck at home. There are no jobs. You (President Denis Sassou Nguesso) made promises. To date, nothing has been done, not even a factory (in the country). Young people (with degrees) drive motorcycle taxis. Today, you (the administration of President Denis Sassou Nguesso) are the first to break the young people's motorcycles (during demonstrations). Look, how many young people are unemployed?”
8. Campaign posters of candidate Vivien Romain Manangou
9. Traffic, billboards of candidates in background
10. Political analyst Dr. Etanislas Ngodi at desk
11. SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Etanislas Ngodi, political analyst and Professor at the University of Brazzaville:
“In terms of key issues, the first question is the voter turnout rate for this election. Will it be low or high? Already, as we follow the election campaign, we can see that there is ultimately no enthusiasm (among voters).”
12. Various of candidates’ campaign posters
13. SOUNDBITE (French) Dr. Etanislas Ngodi, political analyst and Professor at the University of Brazzaville:
“The entire administration is campaigning (for the incumbent candidate), claiming that their candidate must win the election in the first round. Opposite them, we see that we have candidates, some of whom are considered outsiders, who have participated in previous elections since 2002, but who have achieved well-known results, less than 1% for some.”
14. Billboards displaying Nguesso
STORYLINE:
Days before Congo's presidential election on Sunday, its streets were filled with campaign posters and banners urging the country’s 2.6 million registered voters to head to the polls.

The Republic of Congo, home to 6 million people and one of Africa’s major oil producers, continues to face persistent economic challenges, including a youth unemployment rate of 40% and a low standard of living for much of the population.

President Denis Sassou Nguesso, 82, is widely seen as the frontrunner. In power since 1997, he is seeking another term against six other candidates. Few voters expect any major surprise, and many believe the head of state could win outright in the first round.

In Brazzaville’s markets and working class neighborhoods, the election is generating little enthusiasm. Residents interviewed cite the same priorities, creating jobs for young people, reviving the economy, and improving living conditions in a country where many households struggle to make ends meet.

“Many young people are unemployed," said Gédéon, a resident of Brazzaville. "Young people (with degrees) drive motorcycle taxis."




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