President Felix Tshisekedi Re-elected in Congo Amidst Controversy
In a controversial turn of events, President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has secured a second term after winning more than 73% of the vote in the December 20 poll, according to the country's election commission, CENI. The announcement of the results comes amid opposition complaints regarding the election's conduct, logistical setbacks, and an opaque vote count.
Denis Kadima, the head of CENI, declared Tshisekedi provisionally elected, revealing that he garnered more than 13 million out of over 18 million valid votes, with a turnout exceeding 43%. The news was met with cheers from Tshisekedi's supporters in the capital, Kinshasa.
Addressing his supporters at his campaign headquarters, Tshisekedi, flanked by his wife and mother, expressed gratitude and pledged to accelerate programs in his second term to address societal inequalities. "You believed in my commitment not to spare any effort so that our country will retake its rightful place," he said.
However, the opposition, led by frontrunner Moise Katumbi, who secured 18% of the vote, has rejected the election results, deeming the process a "sham." Katumbi ruled out legal challenges, citing a lack of independence of state institutions. Other opposition candidates have not clarified their stance on challenging the results.
A group of nine opposition presidential candidates, including Katumbi, and six political party leaders, called for mass protests, rejecting the results and demanding fresh elections with a new electoral body. "We call on our people to take to the streets en masse after the proclamation of electoral fraud," their joint declaration stated.
While celebrations erupted in Kinshasa, there was calm in other cities on New Year's Eve, with little sign of widespread protests. The government of Congo has dismissed calls for a rerun of the elections. Tshisekedi's challengers, including former oil executive Martin Fayulu, have called for a re-run, accusing CENI of favoring the president.
The United States, closely monitoring the electoral progress in Congo, highlighted the need for resolving election disputes peacefully and in accordance with Congolese electoral law, according to a statement from the State Department on Sunday. The situation remains tense as the opposition weighs its options, and the country awaits the Constitutional Court's response to any challenges within the next seven days.
