Denis Sassou Nguesso, the outgoing president of Congo-Brazzaville, has been re-elected as expected for a fifth consecutive term, securing 94.82% of the votes in the first round of the presidential elections held on Sunday. The state television reported these preliminary results, signalling that at the age of 82, Sassou Nguesso will remain in power until 2031, marking over 40 years of governance for this small Central African nation.

Interior Minister Raymond Zephyrin Boulou announced a voter turnout of 84.65%, however, journalists from the French Agency reported a 'meager' showing of voters at polling stations in Brazzaville on the election day. This discrepancy raises questions about the legitimacy of the turnout figures and the electoral process itself, against a backdrop of long-standing allegations of electoral fraud in the country.

Moreover, significant disruptions were noted during the election period, including a nationwide internet blackout that began on the morning of the elections. Additionally, traffic was restricted and commercial establishments closed, which not only limited voters' access to polling places but also raised concerns regarding the government's control over information dissemination and public order during this critical democratic moment.