Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso was officially sworn in on Thursday, April 16, for a fifth consecutive term in office. The ceremony took place at the Kintélé Stadium, on the northern outskirts of Brazzaville, in the presence of hundreds of thousands of citizens and several African heads of state. At 82 years old, with a cumulative 41 years in power, Sassou Nguesso was re-elected with 94.90% of the vote in the presidential election held on March 15, 2026.
Standing before members of the Constitutional Court, the Congolese leader took the oath of office, pledging to “respect and uphold the Constitution” of the Republic of Congo. An appeal filed by opposition figure Dave Mafoula was rejected by the Constitutional Court, effectively validating the electoral process and paving the way for the inauguration.
A speech focused on youth and national unity
In his inaugural address, Denis Sassou Nguesso presented himself as “the president of all Congolese, without exception,” placing strong emphasis on the role of young people in shaping the country’s future. “Young Congolese, you are the future of the Congo. A future that begins now,” he stated, urging the youth to embrace responsibility, hard work, and humility. Re-elected on the platform “Let us continue the march towards development,” the president signaled continuity in his governance agenda.
Strong African presence at the ceremony
The inauguration was attended by several African leaders, including Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi, along with other heads of state from across the continent. They extended their congratulations to the Congolese president following his swearing-in.
The event concluded with a military parade and a parachute demonstration, adding a symbolic and ceremonial dimension to the inauguration. This swearing-in marks the beginning of a new term under Denis Sassou Nguesso’s leadership, continuing a long-standing political era in the Republic of Congo.
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