Congo Brazzaville: Presidential Election Campaign Kicks-Off

The campaign for March 15 presidential election in the Republic of Congo has kicked-started with six opposition candidates to challenge incumbent Denis Sassou Nguesso. Portraits and posters bearing messages of support for the various candidates already line the main roads and public squares of Brazzaville, the country's capital. From Saturday February 28 to March 13, the candidates have two weeks to persuade undecided voters in hopes of securing favourable results at the ballot. During the launching at the Atlantic coast in the country's economic and oil capital, Pointe-Noire, supporters of President Sassou who will run under the banner of the Presidential Majority, a coalition comprising nearly 20 political parties including the ruling Congolese Labour Party (PCT), vowed to win the presidential election from the first round. Six opposition candidates have formally confirmed they will be standing, including 34-year-old Destin Gavin, from the Republican Movement (MR), who is in the race for the first time. Other candidates include Joseph Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou, a member of parliament and the leader of "The Chain" party, who is running for the fifth time since 2002. Anguios Nganguia Engambe, president of the Party for Action of the Republic, is competing for the fourth consecutive time since 2009. They are joined by Uphrem Dave Mafoula, who is running for the second consecutive time after the 2021 presidential election. Independent candidate Vivien Romain Manangou, Melaine Destin Gavet Elengo of the Republican Movement, and Mabio Mavoungou Zinga from the Alliance are contesting the election for the fir...