Politics of the Republic of the Congo

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Politics of the Republic of the Congo takes place in a framework of a unitary semi-presidential republic, whereby the President is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government, of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the President and the Government. Recently, following the approval of a new Constitution after a referendum in 2015, Congo became a semi-presidential republic after the creation of the post of prime minister who is responsible to the legislature, as well is the cabinet of the former. Legislative power is vested in both the Government and the two chambers of parliament.

Contents

Many countries have a semi-presidential republic and elections, examples of other countries than the Republic of the Congo include France, Peru, and Croatia. [1] However, having semi-presidential republic does not necessarily mean that a country is a democracy. A central, but not the only, component of democracy is free and fair elections, where the population can hold accountable those in power. [2] Data collected from Freedom House, shows that the country scored 2/40 on political rights, and 15/60 on civil liberties; however, more specifically, the country scored 0/4 on whether there were free and fair elections. [3]

In terms of civil, political, and human rights, another tenant of democracy, another non-governmental organization, BTI, reports that the rule of law “only exists on paper” in the country; [4] this follows suit from a report from Amnesty International, which documents how Alexandre Ibacka Dzabana and Ras le Bol, both human rights leaders in the country were arrested the day after they announced they would hold a press conference to denounce election irregularities that occurred. [5]

Executive branch

Main office-holders
OfficeNamePartySince
President Denis Sassou-Nguesso Party of Labour 25 October 1997
Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso Party of Labour 12 May 2021

Legislative branch

The Parliament (Parlement) has two chambers. The National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) elects its members to five-year terms in single-seat constituencies. The members of the Senate (Sénat) are elected for a six-year term by district, local and regional councils. The Republic of Congo is a one party dominant state with the Congolese Labour Party in power. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power.

Political parties and elections

Presidential elections

CandidatePartyVotes%
Denis Sassou Nguesso Congolese Party of Labour 838,92260.19
Guy Brice Parfait Kolélas Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development 209,63215.04
Jean-Marie Mokoko Independent191,56213.74
Pascal Tsaty Mabiala Pan-African Union for Social Democracy 65,0254.67
André Okombi Salissa Initiative for Democracy in Congo57,3734.12
Claudine Munari Movement for Unity, Solidarity and Labour21,5301.54
Joseph Kignoumbi Kia Mboungou Chain3,5400.25
Michel Mboussi NgouariConvention of Republican Parties3,3010.24
Anguios Nganguia EngabéParty for Action of the Republic2,9050.21
Total1,393,790100.00
Valid votes1,393,79093.55
Invalid/blank votes96,1716.45
Total votes1,489,961100.00
Registered voters/turnout2,161,83968.92
Source: Constitutional Court

Parliamentary elections

PartyFirst roundSecond roundSeats
Votes%SeatsVotes%SeatsExtended
mandate [lower-alpha 1]
Total+/–
Congolese Party of Labour 7219596+7
Pan-African Union for Social Democracy 3508+1
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development 0044–3
Action and Renewal Movement 31040
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress 2103–2
Dynamic for the Republic and Recovery 0303New
Union for a People's Movement 2002+2
Citizen Rally 1001–2
Republican and Liberal Party 01010
Club 2002 – Party for the Unity and the Republic 10010
Union of Democratic Forces 10010
Party for Agreement and Political Action 1001+1
Patriotic Front 1001+1
Movement for Democracy and Progress 0101+1
Party for Unity, Liberty and Progress 0101+1
Congress for Democracy and the Republic 0101New
CRDP 0101New
La Chaîne 0101New
National Movement for the Liberation of Congo 0101New
Independents811019+7
Total95479151+12
Registered voters/turnout2,221,596
Source: Jeune Afrique, IPU
  1. The elections were not held in the Pool Department (9 seats). Instead, the term of the nine outgoing deputies was extended: Of these, five belonged to the Congolese Party of Labour and four to the Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development.

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CCC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM  (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UDEAC, UN  (Security Council member for 2006/2007), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

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References

  1. Samuels, David (2013). Comparative politics. New York: Pearson Education. ISBN   978-0-321-44974-0. OCLC   771425329.
  2. Schmitter, Philippe C; Karl, Terry Lynn (1991). "What Democracy Is. . . and Is Not". Journal of Democracy. 2 (3): 75–88. doi:10.1353/jod.1991.0033. ISSN   1086-3214.
  3. "Republic of the Congo: Freedom in the World 2022 Country Report". Freedom House. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  4. "BTI 2022 Congo, Rep. Country Report". BTI 2022. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  5. "Congo Archives". Amnesty International. Retrieved 2023-03-03.