President Félix Tshisekedi secures victory in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s election, marked by accusations of irregularities and a call for a rerun by opposition candidates who label the process a sham. Official figures reveal President Tshisekedi clinching approximately 73% of the vote, with Moise Katumbi, his closest contender, trailing at 18%. The election, held on December 20, faced widespread logistical challenges, necessitating an extension in certain regions of the expansive country.
Observers reported significant delays in the opening of about two-thirds of polling stations and the malfunctioning of 30% of voting machines on the initial day. Long queues lasting for hours and technical glitches disenfranchised many voters, sparking allegations from the opposition of a deliberate plan to manipulate results in favour of President Tshisekedi.
As calls for protests reverberate among major challengers, the capital, Kinshasa, witnesses a deployment of the military to quell potential unrest. Simultaneously, supporters of President Tshisekedi take to the streets in celebration.
Election commission head Denis Kadima acknowledges some irregularities but asserts that the results genuinely reflect the will of the Congolese people. He dismisses opposition claims as those of “bad losers” seeking to contest an election they purportedly lost.
President Tshisekedi, son of veteran opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi, is set to be sworn in for a second term on January 20. His initial election in 2019, contested by some, including the influential Catholic Church, remains a point of contention. Martin Fayulu, considered by some to be the true winner, secured only 5% of the vote in the recent election.
With turnout at approximately 43% of the 41 million registered voters, uncertainty looms over whether any of the 18 opposition candidates will challenge the results in court. Mr. Katumbi, one of the contenders, expresses scepticism about legal avenues, citing concerns about the independence of the courts.
The Constitutional Court has a 10-day window to address any legal challenges before announcing the final results on January 10, 2024.
