Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – President Félix Tshisekedi has been declared the winner of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) December 20 election, securing a second term in office with 73% of the vote. However, the victory has been met with widespread condemnation from opposition candidates and observers who allege irregularities and rigging.
The election was marred by logistical problems, with polling stations opening late, voting machines malfunctioning, and millions of voters facing lengthy delays or being unable to cast their ballots at all. These issues were particularly acute in the country’s vast eastern region, where ongoing conflict prevented voting from taking place altogether.
Several opposition candidates, including Moise Katumbi who finished second with 18% of the vote, have denounced the election as a “sham” and called for a rerun. They allege that the widespread irregularities were deliberate attempts to manipulate the results in favor of Tshisekedi.
“We call on our people to take to the streets en masse after the proclamation of the electoral fraud,” the opposition leaders declared in a joint statement.
In response, the army has been deployed in Kinshasa to prevent potential unrest, while Tshisekedi’s supporters have taken to the streets in celebration.
This is not the first time that elections in the DRC have been disputed. Tshisekedi’s own 2019 victory was also questioned by many observers, with some, including the influential Catholic Church, alleging that the actual winner was opposition leader Martin Fayulu, who received a mere 5% of the vote in the recent election.
The lack of trust in the electoral process and the deep political divisions within the country raise concerns about potential instability in the coming weeks and months.
Even if Tshisekedi’s victory is ultimately confirmed, he faces a daunting task in his second term. The DRC is a resource-rich country, but it is also one of the poorest and most conflict-ridden in Africa. Two-thirds of its population live below the poverty line, and millions have been displaced by violence in the east.
Tshisekedi has vowed to tackle these challenges, but he will need to overcome political divisions and address the deep-seated issues that have plagued the country for decades.
The international community has expressed concern about the conduct of the election and the potential for unrest. The United Nations has called for all parties to remain calm and to respect the democratic process. The European Union has also urged dialogue and restraint.
It remains to be seen whether Tshisekedi can unite the country and lead it towards a brighter future. The coming weeks and months will be crucial in determining the DRC’s trajectory.