Denis Sassou N’Guesso was reelected president of the Republic of the Congo for a fifth consecutive term, according to provisional results announced Tuesday by Interior Minister Raymond Zephirin Mboulou.
Mboulou said on state television that Sassou N’Guesso won 94.82% of the vote. He also reported turnout of 84.65% and said 2.6 million ballots were cast.
Authorities said six other candidates challenged Sassou N’Guesso. Mabio Mavoungou Zinga, of the Alliance party, came in second with 1.48% of the vote, followed closely by independent candidate Uphrem Dave Mafoula, who received 1.03%, according to the provisional results. The other four candidates each received less than 1% of the vote.
The provisional results still have to be approved by the constitutional court. During the presidential election, the internet was shut down across the country, and traffic was restricted across the capital, Brazzaville.
Sassou N’Guesso, running for the Congolese Party of Labor, told reporters at his party’s headquarters, “By reelecting me by a landslide, the people have kept their word. Now it is up to us to keep ours. We promise to commit ourselves fully to doing everything possible.” He said the high turnout reflected the population’s “civic-mindedness” and “patriotism.”
The report said Sassou N’Guesso first came to power in 1979 and ruled until 1992, when he organized the country’s first multi-party elections. It said he returned to power as a militia leader following a four-month civil war in 1997, and that the campaign featured a “vast mismatch” between the incumbent and opponents. It said Sassou N’Guesso was the only candidate to travel around the country to canvass for votes, and that roads in Brazzaville were paved with his effigies.
The report also said two other major parties boycotted the elections over allegations of unfair electoral practices. It cited a constitutional referendum in 2015 that removed presidential age and term limits, allowing Sassou N’Guesso to run again.
In a sign of discontent in the capital, the report said many Brazzaville residents expected the result and did not believe the election would lead to a change in leadership. Jean Baptiste Mahoukou, a taxi driver, said, “Everyone knew he would be reelected against candidates who were no match for him. The blame lies with the manipulated opposition, which failed to field a single candidate, thus leaving the field open to the presidential camp.”
Christian Sondou, 52, a carpenter, said he “didn’t vote simply because everything was rigged to ensure that President Denis Sassou N’Guesso continues to govern us” and argued that, after more than 40 years in power, Sassou N’Guesso had failed to lift the country out of poverty.
Elise Sonia, a vendor at the Makelekele market, said, “There’s no need to lament, we must be patient as he won’t be around forever.” She added, “Nature will take care of this generation that clings to power without making the slightest effort to build and develop the country.” The report said the country faces high international debt and rising unemployment among young people, and that more than half the population lives in poverty with 47% under 18.