On the campaign trail in Congo-Brazzaville’s Cuvette department, Denis Sassou N’Guesso paused his electoral message to honour a close collaborator who had recently died, before pressing on with his tour.
The outgoing president was campaigning ahead of the presidential election set for 15 March 2026. At a rally in Owando, he asked the crowd to observe a minute of silence for Minister of State Firmin Ayessa.
A Tribute Before The Political Message
On 8 March 2026, the outgoing president marked an important stage in his campaign by meeting residents of the Cuvette department. Before turning to exchanges about the coming vote, he recalled a former associate.
He paid tribute to the loyal service of Firmin Ayessa, the Minister of State who died on 17 February 2026 in Istanbul. The gesture set a solemn tone at the start of the gathering.
The Profile Of A Close Collaborator
In the president’s words, Firmin Ayessa had been a “front-line fighter.” The phrasing cast the late minister as a committed figure within the political battles of recent years.
Ayessa was a member of the political bureau of the Parti congolais du travail, the PCT. On the ground, he had established himself as a leading actor during the party’s internal political struggles.
In public contests, the president recalled, “he had been campaign director.” Ayessa had served in that role for Sassou N’Guesso during earlier electoral fights.
For this presidential election, Ayessa was due to take on new responsibilities. He was to serve as special adviser and as campaign director in Makoua, roles his death left unfilled.
Carrying The Campaign Forward
“We continue the fight,” the candidate told the crowd, framing the campaign as an ongoing effort. The words connected the tribute to the political contest still ahead.
He then asked those present to observe a minute of silence in honour of the late collaborator. The pause gave the rally a moment of collective reflection before the campaign resumed.
The stop in the Cuvette formed part of a wider tour that carried the candidate onward toward Oyo. The combination of mourning and mobilisation captured the texture of a campaign unfolding under the shadow of a recent loss (Journal de Brazza).