List of Presidents of Republic of the Congo: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Republic of the Congo from 1960 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Republic of the Congo, former presidents, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Republic of the Congo: Denis Sassou Nguesso (in office since 1997).

Presidents of Republic of the Congo in order, with years in office

Fulbert Youlou

Served: 1960–1963

First president of the Republic of the Congo; forced out in the August 1963 uprising known as the 'Three Glorious Days'.

Alphonse Massamba-Débat

Served: 1963–1968

Led the country from 1963 until he was deposed on 4 September 1968.

Alfred Raoul

Served: 1968–1969

Military officer who held the presidency from September 1968 to January 1969.

Marien Ngouabi

Served: 1969–1977

Renamed the country the People's Republic of the Congo; assassinated on 18 March 1977.

Joachim Yhombi-Opango

Served: 1977–1979

Military ruler who resigned on 5 February 1979.

Denis Sassou Nguesso

Served: 1979–1992, 1997–present

Ruled under a one-party system until losing the 1992 election, then returned to power in October 1997 after a civil war; re-elected in March 2026.

Pascal Lissouba

Served: 1992–1997

First democratically elected president; deposed in the civil war of October 1997.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Republic of the Congo

Who is the current president of Republic of the Congo?

The current head of state of Republic of the Congo is Denis Sassou Nguesso, in office since 1997.

Who were the previous presidents of Republic of the Congo?

The presidents and heads of state of Republic of the Congo listed on this page, in order, are: Fulbert Youlou, Alphonse Massamba-Débat, Alfred Raoul, Marien Ngouabi, Joachim Yhombi-Opango, Denis Sassou Nguesso, Pascal Lissouba.

Who was the first president of Republic of the Congo?

Fulbert Youlou was the first president of Republic of the Congo, in office 1960–1963.

Sources: Wikipedia, List of presidents of the Republic of the Congo; AFP report and Wikipedia election table on the March 2026 election (checked Nov 2026). Brief party-committee chairs in 1977 and 1979 are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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