When someone asks "Who is Congo president?" they usually get a bit of a surprise. There isn't just one.
In Central Africa, two distinct nations share the name "Congo," and each has its own leader, its own history, and a completely different vibe in the halls of power. If you’re looking at a map, you’ve got the massive Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with its capital in Kinshasa, and the smaller Republic of the Congo, often called Congo-Brazzaville.
As of January 2026, Félix Tshisekedi is the man in charge of the DRC. Across the river in Brazzaville, the veteran Denis Sassou Nguesso has held onto the presidency for what feels like forever.
The DRC: Félix Tshisekedi’s High-Stakes Term
Félix Tshisekedi is currently serving his second term as the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He first took office in 2019 in a transition that was, honestly, a bit messy. It was the first "peaceful" transfer of power in the country’s history, but many observers, including the Catholic Church’s influential observer mission, questioned the actual vote count back then.
Fast forward to the December 2023 elections, and Tshisekedi secured a landslide victory with about 73% of the vote. He was officially sworn in for this second five-year term in January 2024.
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Right now, his plate is overflowing. If you follow the news, you know the eastern part of the DRC is a mess. Groups like the M23 rebels have been displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Tshisekedi has been vocal—borderline aggressive—in blaming neighboring Rwanda for backing these rebels, a claim that UN experts have backed up with evidence, though Rwanda usually denies it.
Tshisekedi is a different kind of leader than his predecessor, Joseph Kabila. He’s more of a diplomat on the world stage. Just recently, in late 2025, he was seen in Washington meeting with world leaders to discuss security. But at home, the pressure is on. People want the "Fatshi Béton" (his nickname, basically meaning "Fatshi the Concrete" for his perceived strength) to actually fix the economy and the war.
Congo-Brazzaville: The Reign of Denis Sassou Nguesso
Then you have the Republic of the Congo. The president here is Denis Sassou Nguesso. To say he is a veteran is an understatement. He has been the president since 1997, and he actually had an earlier stint from 1979 to 1992.
Think about that. He’s been in power for most of the last 40-plus years.
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Currently, Sassou Nguesso is 82 years old. You might think he’d be looking at retirement, but that’s not the vibe in Brazzaville. His party, the Congolese Labour Party (PCT), just recently renominated him as their candidate for the upcoming March 2026 elections. Basically, it looks like he’s planning to keep going until 2031 if he wins this next round.
While Tshisekedi’s DRC is known for its chaotic, vibrant, and often dangerous political landscape, Sassou Nguesso’s Congo is much more tightly controlled. There isn't much room for dissent there. The economy is heavily tied to oil, and while there’s been some stability, the wealth hasn't exactly trickled down to the average person on the streets of Brazzaville.
Why the Distinction Matters
You can't really understand who the Congo president is without knowing which "Congo" you're talking about because their influence on Africa is totally different.
- The DRC (Kinshasa) is a titan. It has the world's largest reserves of cobalt—essential for your smartphone and EV batteries. What Tshisekedi does affects the global tech supply chain.
- The Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) is a regional diplomatic player. Sassou Nguesso often positions himself as a "mediator" in African conflicts, even as his own domestic record faces criticism from human rights groups like Amnesty International.
It’s also worth noting the personal styles. Tshisekedi is the son of a famous opposition leader, Etienne Tshisekedi. He grew up in the shadow of a man who fought for democracy. Sassou Nguesso, on the other hand, is an old-school military man who came back to power through a civil war in the late 90s.
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What to Watch for in 2026
This year is actually a bit of a turning point for both leaders.
In the DRC, 2026 is the "mid-term" year for Tshisekedi’s second mandate. This is usually when the honeymoon phase ends and the political maneuvering for the next election starts. There’s already talk in Kinshasa about whether the constitution might be changed to allow him a third term—something his supporters whisper about but his critics are ready to fight over.
Over in Brazzaville, all eyes are on the March 2026 election. Given the track record, nobody expects a massive upset, but the age of the president is becoming a real talking point. People are wondering what a post-Sassou Congo looks like, even if the man himself isn't ready to step aside yet.
Actionable Insights for Following Congolese Politics:
- Check the Capital: If the news mentions "Kinshasa," they are talking about Félix Tshisekedi and the DRC. If it says "Brazzaville," it’s about Denis Sassou Nguesso and the Republic of the Congo.
- Monitor Mineral News: If you're interested in how Tshisekedi's presidency affects the world, follow news regarding the "Gecamines" state mining company.
- Watch the AU Summits: Both presidents are active in the African Union. Their presence at the February 2026 AU Summit in Addis Ababa will give a clear indication of their current regional standing.
- Follow Independent Journalists: For the DRC, look for reports from Actualite.cd. For the Republic of the Congo, news is more restricted, so international outlets like Radio France Internationale (RFI) often provide the most nuanced coverage.
Understanding who is Congo president means looking past the name and seeing two very different men trying to lead two very different nations through a complex 2026.