If you're asking "who is the president of Congo," you've probably realized by now that there isn't just one "Congo." It's one of those geographical quirks that trips everyone up. You have the massive Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and then its smaller neighbor to the west, the Republic of the Congo (often called Congo-Brazzaville).
Honestly, it gets confusing even for news junkies. As of January 2026, both countries have leaders who have been in the headlines for very different reasons.
The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): Félix Tshisekedi
Félix Tshisekedi is the man in charge in Kinshasa. He’s currently serving his second term after winning a pretty lopsided election in late 2023. You might remember his first win in 2019—it was a huge deal because it was the first peaceful transfer of power the DRC had seen since gaining independence in 1960.
But "peaceful" is a relative term there.
What's happening with Tshisekedi right now?
Lately, his presidency has been defined by the absolute chaos in the eastern part of the country. If you check the news today, January 17, 2026, you'll see he’s been busy with high-stakes diplomacy. He just met with the President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbé, who is trying to mediate the mess between the DRC and Rwanda.
Tshisekedi has a lot on his plate:
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- The M23 Conflict: Rebel groups are tearing up the east, and Tshisekedi has been vocal about accusing Rwanda of backing them.
- The UN Exit: He's been pushing for the UN peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO) to pack up and leave, though that's been a bit of a "one step forward, two steps back" situation because of the violence.
- Economic Pressure: The DRC is insanely rich in minerals like cobalt (which is in your phone and EV battery), but most of that wealth doesn't reach the average person.
He's a guy who grew up in the shadow of his father, Étienne Tshisekedi, a legendary opposition leader. Now that he’s the boss, he's trying to prove he can actually stabilize a country that’s basically the size of Western Europe.
The President of the Republic of the Congo: Denis Sassou Nguesso
Now, let’s cross the river to Brazzaville. The leader here is Denis Sassou Nguesso. If Tshisekedi is the "new guy" on his second term, Sassou Nguesso is the ultimate political survivor.
He has been the president since 1997. And before that? He was the president from 1979 to 1992. Basically, he has been running the show for most of the last four decades.
Why Sassou Nguesso is in the news in 2026
We are actually in a big year for him. The Republic of the Congo is scheduled for presidential elections in March 2026. At 82 years old, Sassou Nguesso is looking to extend his stay even further.
He’s one of those old-school African leaders who has seen everything. His government is heavily tied to the oil industry—that’s the country's lifeblood. While the DRC deals with mineral wars, the Republic of the Congo deals with the ups and downs of global oil prices and a lot of debt.
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People often criticize his long tenure, saying it’s more of a "dictatorship-lite" setup, especially with reports of journalists being harassed. But for now, he’s still the guy in the palace.
How to Tell the Two Congos Apart
If you’re still mixed up, here’s the "cheat sheet" way to remember who is who:
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Capital: Kinshasa
- President: Félix Tshisekedi
- The Vibe: Massive, struggling with major eastern rebellions, rich in tech minerals.
- Former Name: Zaire (under Mobutu).
Republic of the Congo
- Capital: Brazzaville
- President: Denis Sassou Nguesso
- The Vibe: Smaller population, oil-dependent, ruled by the same person for a long time.
- Former Name: Middle Congo (French colony).
Why does this matter?
It's not just a trivia question. These two countries sit on some of the most important real estate on the planet. The DRC’s minerals are what make the "green energy transition" possible. If Tshisekedi can't keep the peace, your next electric car might get a lot more expensive. Meanwhile, Sassou Nguesso’s country holds a huge chunk of the Congo Basin rainforest—the "second lungs of the earth."
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What to Watch Next
If you're following Congolese politics, keep an eye on these three things over the next few months:
- The March 2026 Election in Brazzaville: Will Sassou Nguesso actually face a real challenge, or will it be business as usual?
- The Washington Peace Deal: There was a peace agreement signed in late 2025 between the DRC and Rwanda. We'll see if Tshisekedi can make it stick or if the M23 rebels ignore it.
- Mining Contracts: Tshisekedi has been trying to renegotiate deals with China to get a better share for the Congolese people. This is a huge "business to watch" story.
Basically, if you’re looking for the president of Congo, you need to decide if you’re looking for the guy trying to manage a mineral-rich war zone (Tshisekedi) or the guy who has outlasted almost every other world leader (Sassou Nguesso).
For the most up-to-date local news, you can check out Radio Okapi for the DRC or Les Dépêches de Brazzaville for the Republic of the Congo. They give a much more granular view than the big international outlets.
Actionable Insight: If you are doing business or traveling, always double-check your visas. A visa for Kinshasa (DRC) will not get you into Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo), and vice versa. They are two completely separate sovereign states with very different entry requirements.