AGP Executive Report

Naval Cooperation: A Russian Navy training ship in Pointe-Noire hosted damage-control and first-aid demonstrations for Congolese sailors. Twelve Congolese cadets also joined its ocean voyage for six weeks of training. UN Partnership: Government and UN officials met in Brazzaville to review a five-year cooperation plan. The workshop is expected to set out next steps before the framework is signed. Constitution Debate: Opposition leader Mabio Mavoungou-Zinga says the proposed charter revision risks concentrating power. He accepts that the Constitution allows amendments but questions the timing and the authorities’ intentions. University Dispute: Talks over unpaid wages at Marien Ngouabi University have stalled without agreement or a date to resume. Foreign Relations: France says it will seek EU sanctions over an alleged Russian influence operation targeting Congo and Cameroon; it has not named those who could face sanctions. Public Finances: The African Development Bank recommends directing oil windfalls to debt reduction and avoiding new oil-backed borrowing.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Denis Sassou N’Guesso joined leaders in Moscow as the summit opened, with trade and political ties on the agenda. Foreign Relations: France says it will seek EU sanctions over alleged Russian influence operations targeting Congo and Cameroon; Paris has not named those it wants sanctioned. University Dispute: Talks between the government and Marien Ngouabi University unions stalled without agreement on salary arrears, and no date is set to resume. Oil Revenue: The African Development Bank recommends directing oil windfalls to debt reduction and suspending new oil-backed borrowing. Constitution Debate: Opposition leader Mabio Mavoungou-Zinga says the proposed charter revision risks concentrating power, questioning its timing despite acknowledging the legal amendment process.

Russia-Africa Summit: President Denis Sassou N’Guesso is in Moscow for the summit, where Congolese and Russian defence officials discussed joint projects and future cooperation. Oil Revenue: The African Development Bank urged Congo to direct oil windfalls toward debt reduction, adopt clear rules for extra revenue and suspend new oil-backed borrowing. French Allegations: France says it will seek EU sanctions over an alleged Russian influence operation targeting Congo and Cameroon; it has not named those it wants sanctioned. Public Services: Fuel shortages and unreliable electricity are disrupting mobile calls, internet access and mobile-money payments, Congo’s telecom regulator says. University Talks: Government negotiations with Marien-Ngouabi University staff have stalled over unpaid wages, with no date set to resume. Budget Oversight: Congo’s auditors gave a positive assessment of the 2025 budget execution as lawmakers prepare to examine the 2027 budget.

Continental Trade: AfCFTA chief Wamkele Mene briefed President Denis Sassou N’Guesso on the bloc’s progress and the Brazzaville Declaration, a roadmap for advancing the continental market. Fuel and Connectivity: Diesel shortages and unreliable electricity are disrupting mobile networks across Congo, affecting calls, internet access and mobile-money services, the regulator says. Foreign Relations: France says it will seek EU sanctions over alleged Russian interference targeting Congo and Cameroon; it has not named those it wants sanctioned. University Strike: Government talks with Marien-Ngouabi University staff have stalled over unpaid arrears, with no date set to resume negotiations. Public Finances: Auditors gave the government’s 2025 budget execution a positive assessment, but details and figures were not disclosed to lawmakers. Defence Ties: Congo’s defence minister met his Russian counterpart in Moscow to discuss joint projects ahead of the Russia–Africa Summit.

Defence Ties: Congo’s defence minister Raymond Zéphirin Mboulou met his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Oct. 26 to discuss joint projects, ahead of President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s meetings with Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa Summit. Russia’s training ship Perekop also docked in Pointe-Noire. Public Finances: The Court of Auditors gave a broadly favourable assessment of the government’s 2025 budget execution during a National Assembly hearing. Its public account offered no figures or detailed findings; lawmakers are also preparing to examine the 2027 draft budget. Investment: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso held talks in Ottawa with Canadian officials and business figures, seeking to pave the way for an official visit and investment mission in 2027. Regional Trade: Sassou Nguesso received AfCFTA Secretary-General Wamkele Mene in Brazzaville, where they discussed the continental trade pact and a regional roadmap aimed at advancing its implementation.

Public Finances: Congo’s Court of Auditors gave the government a favorable assessment of its 2025 budget execution at a National Assembly hearing on 26 October. The public account offered no figures or details of reservations, as lawmakers prepare to consider the 2027 budget. Russia Ties: President Denis Sassou Nguesso is due to meet Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow this week, where leaders are expected to discuss priority projects under a 2026–28 cooperation plan. Investment Outreach: Prime Minister Anatole Collinet Makosso’s meetings in Ottawa are laying groundwork for an official Canadian visit and a 2027 economic mission to attract investors. Regional Trade: Sassou Nguesso met AfCFTA chief Wamkele Mene in Brazzaville, where a regional conference focused on advancing continental trade and expanding opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs.

Russia Summit: President Denis Sassou N’Guesso departed for Moscow on Oct. 25 for the Russia–Africa Summit, where he is expected to discuss priority projects under a 2026–28 cooperation plan. AfCFTA: In Brazzaville, the continental trade bloc’s chief briefed Sassou N’Guesso on progress and a new declaration setting actions, deadlines and financing for regional implementation. Power Crisis: Unions at state utility E2C are demanding the director general’s removal as severe outages fuel public anger in Brazzaville. Flood Response: Flooding has left Épéna under water in Likouala, with residents being airlifted to Impfondo. Diplomacy: Deputy Prime Minister Jean-Jacques Bouya met Qatar’s prime minister in Doha to discuss expanding cooperation.

Russia–Africa Summit: President Denis Sassou Nguesso left for Moscow on Oct. 25. Talks with President Vladimir Putin are expected to advance joint projects under a 2026–28 cooperation plan. Regional Diplomacy: Deputy Prime Minister Jean-Jacques Bouya met Qatar’s prime minister in Doha to discuss expanding cooperation and regional developments. Power Crisis: Unions at state utility E2C are demanding the director general’s removal, blaming management as Brazzaville residents face widespread power cuts. Health and Nutrition: Congo renewed its partnership with the World Food Programme to address malnutrition, support epidemic response and strengthen the health system. Public Services: Traders in Brazzaville say poor communication about the Nov. 1 withdrawal of older BEAC coins is already causing customers to reject them. Security: Gendarmerie chief Gildas Olangué urged personnel in Brazzaville to deliver results against banditry and juvenile crime.

Power Crisis: E2C unions are demanding the removal of director general Jean-Bruno Danga Adou, citing concerns about his management as Brazzaville endures severe power cuts. Health Policy: Health Minister Jean-Rosaire Ibara and the World Food Programme renewed their partnership on Oct. 23, targeting malnutrition, epidemic response and stronger health services. Flood Response: More than 42,000 people have been declared flood victims in Épéna, where the town is submerged; the government is flying aid to nearby Impfondo and seeking a relocation site. Security: Gendarmerie chief Gildas Olangué says officers will be judged on results after a tour of 14 regions, with Brazzaville priorities including banditry, youth crime and traffic. Political Organizing: Club 2002-PUR plans an extraordinary congress in January 2027 after departmental meetings, as it reorganizes ahead of future elections. Public Finance: Traders in Brazzaville say unclear guidance on the withdrawal of older BEAC coins is already disrupting transactions ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline. Foreign Relations: Congo’s president is expected to meet Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on Oct. 28–29 to discuss joint projects; Russia also says it is exploring involvement in a planned AI centre in Brazzaville.

Health and Nutrition: Congo’s health ministry and the World Food Programme renewed their partnership on malnutrition, epidemic response and health-system support. Public Safety: Gendarmerie chief Gildas Olangué ended a tour of 14 regions in Brazzaville with a blunt demand: officers will be judged on results against banditry, juvenile crime and traffic problems. Flood Response: More than 42,000 people have been declared flood victims in Likouala’s Épéna district; the government is flying aid to Impfondo as it seeks relocation sites. Public Finance: Congo’s debt to Chinese creditors stood at $2.97 billion in 2024, according to a World Bank-based ranking. Party Politics: Club 2002-PUR plans a January 2027 congress after departmental meetings, part of a reorganisation ahead of future elections. Regional Diplomacy: President Denis Sassou-Nguesso is expected to meet Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow on October 28–29 to discuss joint projects.

Public Services: Brazzaville traders say poor communication over the withdrawal of older BEAC coins is already leading customers to reject them, ahead of the November 1 deadline. Security: Gendarmerie chief Gildas Olangué wrapped up a nationwide tour in Brazzaville, telling officers they will be judged on results as they tackle urban crime and traffic problems. Disaster Response: Flooding has submerged Épéna and affected more than 42,000 people; the government is flying aid to Impfondo while seeking relocation sites. Party Politics: Club 2002-PUR plans a January 2027 congress after departmental meetings, as it reorganises ahead of future elections. Diplomacy: President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso is expected to meet Vladimir Putin at the October 28–29 Russia–Africa Summit to discuss joint projects. Congo’s foreign minister also held talks with China’s Wang Yi, with preparations for the 2027 China–Africa forum in Congo on the agenda. Planning: Denis-Sassou-N’Guesso University has set priorities for its 2027–2031 plan, intended to guide its next five years of development.

Flood Response: Flooding has submerged Épéna in Likouala, with 42,847 people declared affected. The government has opened an airlift to Impfondo for food, medicine and shelter supplies while seeking a relocation site. Security: Gendarmerie chief Gildas Olangué told Brazzaville forces to deliver results against banditry, juvenile crime and traffic problems, after touring 14 regions. Party Politics: Club 2002-PUR will hold an extraordinary congress in January 2027, following departmental meetings, as it reorganizes for upcoming elections. Public Affairs: Brazzaville traders say poor communication about the withdrawal of old BEAC coins is already leading customers to reject them ahead of the November 1 deadline. Development and Diplomacy: Congo’s 2027–2031 university plan has set strategic priorities, while President Denis Sassou-N’Guesso is expected to meet Vladimir Putin at the Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow next week. China’s foreign minister also held talks with Congolese counterpart Constant-Serge Bounda, with both sides looking ahead to the 2027 China–Africa forum in Congo.

Security: Gendarmerie chief Gildas Olangué says officers will now be judged on results, after a tour of 14 regions that ended in Brazzaville. Russia Ties: Moscow says Denis Sassou-Nguesso and Vladimir Putin may review joint projects at the Russia–Africa Summit on Oct. 28–29. China Ties: Foreign Minister Constant-Serge Bounda met Wang Yi in Beijing, with both sides discussing cooperation and preparations for the 2027 China–Africa forum in Congo. Parliamentary Diplomacy: Venezuela’s ambassador met Senate President Pierre Ngolo to discuss closer ties between the two countries’ legislatures. Public Services: Talks over seven months of unpaid salaries at Marien-Ngouabi University have stalled, and the staff strike continues with no new meeting date. Economic Policy: Congo’s 2026–35 climate plan sets emissions-cut targets of 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035, with an estimated cost of $8.88 billion. Regional Cooperation: Brazzaville hosted ECCAS talks to shape a shared framework for cross-border data governance.

Diplomacy: Foreign Minister Constant-Serge Bounda met China’s Wang Yi in Beijing on Oct. 22, with both sides discussing closer cooperation and preparations for the 2027 China-Africa summit in Congo. Venezuela’s ambassador also met Senate President Pierre Ngolo to explore exchanges between the two countries’ legislatures. Climate Policy: Congo’s new plan targets emissions cuts of 20.44% by 2030 and 47.82% by 2035, but its measures are estimated to cost $8.88 billion through 2035. Public Affairs: Talks over seven months of unpaid wages at Marien-Ngouabi University ended without agreement, leaving staff on strike. Meanwhile, electoral officials are reviewing preparations in Pointe-Noire ahead of the July 2027 legislative and local elections. Finance and Investment: Congo’s $1.55 billion sovereign bond has been listed on Nasdaq Dubai, broadening its access to international investors. A Brazzaville forum also urged the Congolese diaspora to invest skills and capital in the country.

Debt and Finance: The Republic of the Congo has listed $1.55 billion in sovereign bonds on Nasdaq Dubai, broadening access to investors in the Gulf. The two bonds carry 9.5% coupons and mature in 2035 and 2036. Regional Digital Policy: Brazzaville hosted an ECCAS workshop on a shared data-governance framework for the bloc’s 11 member states, aimed at securing cross-border data flows and supporting the digital economy. University Strike: Government talks with staff at Marien-Ngouabi University ended without agreement on October 19. The strike over seven months of unpaid salaries continues, with no date set for the next meeting. 2027 Elections: Electoral officials reviewed preparations in Pointe-Noire, including electoral mapping and equipment, ahead of legislative and local elections scheduled for July 2027. Flood Response: Government ministers visited Épéna, where floodwaters have submerged almost the entire town, to assess residents’ needs.

University Strike: Talks between the government and Marien-Ngouabi University staff ended without agreement on October 19, leaving a strike over seven months of salary arrears unresolved. No date has been set for further negotiations. 2027 Elections: Electoral officials have begun checking preparations in Pointe-Noire, including election planning and equipment, ahead of legislative and local polls scheduled for July 2027. Flood Response: Three ministers visited flood-hit Épéna, where waters have submerged much of the town, to assess damage and residents’ urgent needs. Digital Governance: Brazzaville hosted an ECCAS workshop to validate a shared data framework for the bloc’s 11 member states and improve cross-border digital cooperation. Foreign Relations: The Council of Ministers approved a Congolese consulate in Sofia, Bulgaria, led by an honorary consul. Public Finance: Congo’s $1.55 billion in sovereign bonds has been listed on Nasdaq Dubai, expanding the country’s reach among Middle Eastern investors.