Brazzaville ceremony highlights unity and peace
National institutions and the country’s “forces vives” gathered Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Congress Hall of the Palais des Congrès in Brazzaville to present New Year wishes to President Denis Sassou N’Guesso and his wife, Antoinette Sassou N’Guesso.
Placed prominently on the official protocol calendar, the ceremony is described by participants as a moment that reflects the Congolese public’s attachment to the values of living together and the nation’s shared ideals.
Two speeches structured the event: one delivered on behalf of national institutions and civil society by Auguste Iloki, President of the Constitutional Court, and the response from President Denis Sassou N’Guesso, addressing the wishes expressed to him and his family.
Auguste Iloki frames New Year wishes as a civic tradition
In his address, Auguste Iloki began by presenting greetings to the Head of State, the First Lady and their family, while recalling the historical roots of the exchange of wishes as a solemn start-of-year tradition.
Iloki said Congolese citizens expect the government to keep implementing structuring projects across sectors to support development. He praised efforts to build basic infrastructure, presenting them as building blocks of the country’s path toward growth.
“Today, the country’s network of basic infrastructure, while not complete, is perceptible, encouraging and worthy of praise,” Iloki said. He added that “an economy without roads is destined for suffocation, and a road without an economy is mute and sterile.”
Economy: “All economic for all social” vision reaffirmed
Turning to the economy, Iloki said national institutions and civil society renewed support for the guiding idea of “All economic for all social,” which he portrayed as a forward-looking approach capable of opening job basins and meeting pressing social needs.
He pointed to ongoing experiences such as Protected Agricultural Zones, known as Zones agricoles protégées (ZAP), Special Economic Zones (ZES), and the announced move toward making the Universal Health Insurance Fund operational.
Iloki said the aim of universal health coverage is to guarantee access to health care for all Congolese. He encouraged the President to continue supporting the early steps already taken around the ZAP initiative.
Agriculture and food security: boosting value chains
Iloki highlighted the diversity of products coming from Congolese soil and said he believes the country is gradually equipping itself for a steady move toward food self-sufficiency.
He argued that the ZAP experience should be supported, consolidated and structured so it can create value chains that showcase the agropastoral potential of the country’s interior.
Anchoring his remarks on a quote attributed to the President—“A people that does not produce what it consumes is not a free people”—Iloki cited agro-pastoral achievements presented as a basis for inspiration.
He added that such models could also speak to foreign investors, and called for successes to be replicated to better develop goat, sheep and pig sectors.
Environment and climate: recognition of long-term advocacy
On environmental protection, Iloki said national institutions and civil society praised Denis Sassou N’Guesso’s long-standing engagement for forest preservation and the fight against climate change.
He presented the battle for regeneration of Congolese forests and against deforestation as evidence of determination on environmental issues. As an illustration, he cited the UN General Assembly’s adoption of a resolution on the “Global Decade of Afforestation and Reforestation.”
Sports governance: call to ease football and handball tensions
Iloki also asked for the President’s involvement to help resolve a crisis affecting Congolese football and handball for some time, describing sport as a tool for peace and national development beyond competition.
He recalled the strong popular attraction of local football over decades, citing clubs such as Etoile du Congo, Diables Noirs, CARA, Inter-Club and Patronage, whose matches traditionally drew large crowds.
Iloki said few forget the record of Congolese handball, and argued the two disciplines now require “appeasement.” He expressed the hope that the crisis becomes “a past to quickly forget,” appealing to the President’s experience.
The text also notes that football has faced a prolonged crisis, worsened by stadium closures, limiting activity for key actors. Handball is also described as going through a difficult period amid conflicts some observers call interest-driven.
A symbolic message: challenges can reveal the best
To reinforce his appeal, Iloki referenced quotes attributed to film director James Cameron and to Winston Churchill, both centered on the idea that stars shine brightest in the darkest night.
He used those references to suggest that challenges can become an opportunity to bring out leadership and restore harmony, presenting sport as a key link in building peace and therefore a vector of social cohesion.
Praise for stability and Congo Assistance social work
Iloki paid tribute to the President’s role in maintaining peace, ensuring the regular functioning of public powers, safeguarding stability, enabling free movement of people and goods across the national territory, and sustaining national cohesion.
He also praised the actions of First Lady Antoinette Sassou N’Guesso through the Fondation Congo Assistance, citing decades of aid for vulnerable groups in areas linked to health, early childhood, education, women’s economic empowerment and support to people in need.
Sassou N’Guesso’s response: civic values ahead of 2026 vote
Responding to the wishes, President Denis Sassou N’Guesso delivered a long speech focused on peace, national concord and the importance of moral and civic values as the country looks toward the presidential election scheduled for March 2026.
He urged all components of Congolese society—political parties, organizations, religious denominations, women and youth—to work for unity, dialogue, mutual respect and social cohesion, recalling the national motto: “Unity – Work – Progress.”
The Head of State also offered wishes of peace, longevity and happiness to the nation for 2026, calling on every Congolese citizen to take an active role in maintaining peace and building a solidary and prosperous society.