Denis Sassou Nguesso was sworn in for a fifth term as president of the Republic of Congo on Friday, April 17, 2026. The inauguration ceremony in the nation’s capital, Brazzaville, followed his victory in the presidential election, where official results reported he received more than 94% of the vote.
The country’s constitutional court validated the election results, which confirmed Sassou Nguesso’s continuation in office. The election was held in late March, and according to the national electoral commission, voter turnout was approximately 67%. The official results list the final vote counts for all candidates who participated.
During the inauguration ceremony, attended by domestic officials and several regional heads of state, President Sassou Nguesso delivered a speech outlining his administration’s priorities for the upcoming term. He identified youth employment, economic diversification beyond oil revenues, and the development of the agricultural sector as key policy goals.
Sassou Nguesso’s political career began in the late 1970s. He first served as president from 1979 until 1992. After a five-year period out of office, he returned to the presidency in 1997 following a civil war. His tenure has been continuous since that time.
Constitutional reforms passed in a 2015 referendum removed previous term and age limits for the presidency, which allowed Sassou Nguesso to stand for re-election in subsequent polls.
Prior to the election, some opposition groups had called for their supporters to boycott the vote. Following the announcement of the results, opposition parties issued statements regarding the outcome. International bodies and foreign governments have since commented on the election process and its conclusion. President Sassou Nguesso’s new term is set to last five years.
