The presidential campaign for the upcoming election in Congo-Brazzaville officially commenced on Saturday, as incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso, at the age of 82, campaigns to extend his long tenure in office. Sassou Nguesso's political career dates back to 1979 when he first came to power under a one-party system. After losing in the country’s first multi-party elections in 1992, he returned to power in 1997 after a civil war ousted then-Prime Minister Pascal Lissouba. This election cycle, Sassou Nguesso has declared his intention to run for a new five-year term, which he claims would be his last according to the current constitutional limits.

The campaign comes at a significant time, with the first round of voting scheduled for March 15. Campaigning began in Pointe-Noire, the country’s economic and oil capital, starting with a rally from Sassou Nguesso’s party, the Congolese Labour Party (PCT). With six opposition candidates competing alongside him, including the notably younger Destin Gavin from the Republican Movement (MR), the election presents a critical moment for the political landscape in Congo-Brazzaville, dominated by Sassou Nguesso for decades.

As the campaign progresses, the implications of this election are manifold; it reflects not only the enduring grip of Sassou Nguesso on power but also the hopes and challenges faced by opposition candidates in an environment characterized by political integrity issues, potential voter apathy, and historical context of civil unrest. With the election just around the corner, all eyes will be on how the electorate responds to years of governance under Sassou Nguesso and whether the opposition can galvanize significant support.