In Congo-Brazzaville, authorities are organizing a Political Dialogue in Djambala in the Plateaux Department from February 16 to 19, 2026, in the central part of the country. The authorities say they are holding this dialogue in preparation for a “peaceful” presidential election on March 15. The election will see 82-year-old Denis Sassou-Nguesso, who has been in power for over 41 years, running for another five-year term. However, this dialogue is scheduled four days after the deadline for the submission of presidential candidacy files, leading to mixed reactions from political actors.
Published on: February 16, 2026 – 09:12
With our correspondent in Brazzaville, Lucia Martial The six candidates who have submitted their files for the presidential election on March 15, 2026, in Congo-Brazzaville, along with incumbent President Denis Sassou-Nguesso, have agreed to participate in this dialogue. This includes the Union for Social Democratic Pan-Africanism (Upads), the main opposition party, which does not have a candidate in the presidential race, citing concerns about the credibility of the election process. Pascal Tatsy Mabiala, the Upads’s main leader, will also attend the Djambala meeting. “Farce” The National Council of Republicans of former rebel leader Frédéric Bintsamou, also known as Pastor Ntumi, will have at least two representatives at the dialogue with the aim of “strengthening democracy.” In contrast, the party of former Finance Minister Mathias Dzon has declined the invitation. The Patriotic Union for National Renewal (UPRN) refused to participate, criticizing the event as a “farce.” Since 2009, authorities have been organizing political dialogues before each presidential election, emphasizing the goal of a smooth election process.
Read also: Congo-Brazzaville: closure of presidential candidacy submissions for March 2026.
