Faith Nyasuguta
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) witnessed President Felix Tshisekedi securing a resounding victory, as per provisional results, marking his second term in office.
However, the opposition has labeled the vote a “sham.” Announced by the electoral commission, Ceni, the provisional results unveiled Tshisekedi’s triumph with 73% of the vote.
In this single-round presidential ballot, Moise Katumbi, a prominent businessman and former provincial governor, emerged as the runner-up with around 18%. The constitutional court is set to confirm these provisional results on January 10, 2024.
Tshisekedi initially assumed power in January 2019 amid controversy over the election’s legitimacy. This recent victory, while declared by provisional results, has been met with skepticism from opposition figures, echoing the disputes of previous elections.
Martin Fayulu, who contested the 2018 presidential election, claimed only around 5% of the votes in this poll. A notable dissenter, he and eight other opposition candidates, including Katumbi and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege, rejected the election as a “sham” and called for a rerun.
Speaking in Kinshasa, Fayulu declared the results a “masquerade” that should not be accepted. Trésor Kibangula, a political analyst, acknowledged Tshisekedi’s unexpected vote tally but raised concerns about observed irregularities in certain regions.
Tshisekedi, popularly known as “Fatshi,” navigated the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing M23 rebellion during his first term. While his leadership oversaw economic growth, issues such as soaring inflation and persistently high unemployment were prevalent.
During the reelection campaign, Tshisekedi highlighted the elimination of primary-school fees, pledged to create millions of jobs, and accused opposition figures of serving foreign interests.
Forty-four million out of the DRC’s 100 million inhabitants were registered to vote, with the election extended by a day to address issues. Observers noted irregularities, and one observation mission reported numerous cases potentially affecting the vote’s integrity.
As tensions simmer post-election, 15 embassies have called for restraint. Authorities emphasize measures to prevent unrest, especially in mining areas, but opposition leaders express distrust in both the constitutional court and Ceni, citing perceived government influence.
The political landscape remains tense in this vast and resource-rich nation, awaiting the confirmation of results and potential legal challenges in the coming weeks.
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