Denis Sassou Nguesso was declared Tuesday the winner of Sunday’s presidential election, securing a fifth consecutive term.
Official provisional results broadcast on state television showed Nguesso received 94.82% of the vote, confirming his sweeping dominance over rivals.
Interior Minister Raymond Mboulou said voter turnout reached 84.65%, with roughly 2.6 million ballots cast across the Republic of Congo.
Nguesso faced six challengers, including former lawmaker Mabio Mavoungou Zinga and veteran legislator Joseph Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou, amid a tense political climate.
Two major opposition candidates boycotted the vote, citing alleged unfair practices that they said undermined the credibility of the election process.
The 82-year-old leader first came to power in 1979 but went into exile in France after losing the 1992 presidential election.
He returned in 1997, seized power through an armed uprising ousting former Prime Minister Pascal Lissouba, and consolidated political control thereafter.
Running on the Congolese Party of Labor ticket, Nguesso previously won elections in 2002, 2009, 2016, and 2021 with overwhelming margins.
Constitutional changes in 2015 reset presidential term limits and removed the age cap, clearing the path for Nguesso’s enduring leadership.
Critics argue that his long tenure reflects entrenched power structures, while supporters praise stability and continuity amid regional uncertainties.
Analysts say this victory cements Nguesso’s place in Congolese history, though opposition voices warn of growing political polarization and civic unrest.