First peaceful transition
In December 2016 a political agreement permitted Kabila to remain in power until elections within a year.
But there were delays — and opposition protests that were severely repressed — and the election is eventually set for December 2018.
Kabila ended speculations about his intentions by choosing former interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary to run as his successor.
Results of the December 30, 2018 election gave opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi victory with just over 38 percent of votes.
Pre-poll favourite Martin Fayulu rejected the surprise result as “an electoral coup” and the international community raised doubts.
On January 20 the Constitutional Court rejected Fayulu’s appeal against the result and confirmed Tshisekedi as the next president.
His inauguration due on January 24 will mark the first peaceful transition of power in the history of the country.
