While DR Congo is struggling against M23 soldiers to preserve the independence of the Eastern region, the tiny neighbor Republic of the Congo is preparing himself for the upcoming presidential elections. Planned in March, the ballot could result in a fifth term for the current president of the country, Denis Sassou Nguesso.
After more than forty years of reign, Denis Sassou Nguesso is not tired of ruling. At 82 years old, the politician is getting ready for the next elections. Last Thursday, he officially announced his application for the supreme function during a journey in the south of the country.
The presidential election, which was first planned on March 22, was finally moved on March 15. The police and representatives of public order will vote in advance, just before the official day of the ballot, in order to be available and ready to preserve quietness and ensure a peaceful vote on the big day.
Back to Denis Sassou Nguesso, the politician first ruled Republic of the Congo from 1979 to 1992. He was then defeated by Pascal Lissouba. Afterwards, he came back to power in 1997, following a civil war, before being elected again in 2002 and 2009. In 2015, the Constitution was changed so as to enable him to apply for the job as many times as he wants. Until this day, the number of presidential terms was limited to 2. The restriction was removed. Sassou Nguesso was reelected in 2016 and 2021.
The March elections could possibly allow Sassou Nguesso to run a fifth term as president of Republic of the Congo. One more long-lasting presidential term on the continent, and one more situation of an old politician that keeps grasping power no matter his advanced age.
Guillaume Mahot