Congo-Brazzaville Vote Marred by Nationwide Internet Disruption as Counting Begins

Overview

• NetBlocks reported a major disruption to internet connectivity nationwide on election day, limiting real-time reporting for voters and media.
• RFI correspondents observed sparse turnout in Brazzaville, with few lines at polling stations and little sign of suspense around the outcome.
• Vote counting is underway, and provisional results are expected within 48 to 72 hours after polls closed, though no date for official results has been announced.
• Denis Sassou Nguesso sought another term against six challengers as several opposition figures remained jailed or in exile and some parties boycotted the poll.
• Neither candidates nor the government commented on the outage, which echoed a near-total shutdown during the 2021 presidential election.