The election campaign kicked off in Congo-Brazzaville on Saturday in preparation for the presidential elections set for March 15. Incumbent President Denis Sassou Nguesso launched his campaign from the city of Pointe-Noire during a rally for his party, the Congolese Labor Party. Sassou Nguesso, a former military leader, has been in power since 1979, except for a brief period between 1992 and 1997 when he was ousted by elections, only to return to power following a civil war. He has since been re-elected multiple times, benefiting from a constitutional amendment in 2015 that allowed him to run again; according to the current constitution, this should be his last term.

Facing Sassou Nguesso are six opposition candidates, among them 34-year-old Distane Gafee, a new face in the national political arena. However, internal divisions and weak organization within the opposition hinder their ability to mount a challenge against a deeply entrenched presidential apparatus. Gafee's campaign represents a generational shift, but the overall weak and fragmented nature of the opposition is a significant disadvantage against the resources and state machinery of the ruling party.

While the government promotes economic successes and political stability after years of turmoil, human rights organizations and voices from civil society accuse the regime of violating human rights. The upcoming elections appear contentious, with concerns over the fairness and transparency of the electoral process, reflecting broader issues of governance and democracy in the country.