The Republic of Congo is going through a period of intense social and economic tension. High unemployment, limited access to drinking water and electricity, delays in pension and scholarship payments, and fragile public services: the unrest is deep and long-lasting. It is against this backdrop that Dave Mafoula, president of the opposition party Les Souverainistes, officially announced his candidacy for the March 2026 presidential election in a solemn declaration made on Saturday, 13 December 2025, in Brazzaville.
Dave Mafoula, a Congolese opposition figure, announced his candidacy for the March 2026 presidential election on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He proposes a « new beginning » centered on institutional and political reform, including a revised constitution to ensure separation of powers, judicial independence, and effective checks and balances. Mafoula claims to represent thousands of Congolese seeking profound change, social justice, and national dignity, not just his party.
“I am ready to return to the Congolese people the freedom that is rightfully theirs, ready to restore a calm and credible democracy. Ready to ensure an equitable redistribution of our national wealth to sustainably improve the living conditions of every Congolese. It is in this spirit, with a profound sense of responsibility, that here before you, before the Congolese people and before history, I solemnly announce my candidacy for the March 2026 presidential election.”
Uphrem Dave MAFOULA, President of the party Les Souverainistes – Congo
Dave Mafoula’s program focuses on State rebuilding, modernizing education and health, economic diversification, and local resource processing to reduce raw material dependence and create jobs. This vision is timely, as nearly 47% of the population lives in poverty (under USD 2.15/day) and unemployment affects about 20% of the active population, with youth being disproportionately affected. To spur change, he urges citizens to be responsible and actively engaged.
“That is why I make a solemn appeal to everyone. To those who still believe in this country, despite its trials. To those who refuse to let the tragic history of the past 40 years repeat itself. To those who know that being born in a country is not a mere coincidence, but a sacred mission. A mission of courage and responsibility. To those who know that if we go to the polls en masse, we could free our country.”Uphrem Dave MAFOULA, President of the party Les Souverainistes – Congo
For the candidate, these figures reflect the failure of a governance model unable to translate the country’s wealth into social progress, despite considerable potential in the oil and forestry sectors. He calls for a new beginning, which also includes a national act of reparation, aimed at compensating victims of past violence and correcting accumulated injustices.
