Title: Félix Tshisekedi takes oath for a second term and promises unity and protection of the population in eastern DRC
Introduction :
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi was sworn in at a swearing-in ceremony last Saturday, following a disputed election in December. In his inauguration speech, President Tshisekedi pledged to unite the country and protect the population in the conflict-affected eastern region.
A second term under the sign of unity:
During the inauguration ceremony, attended by several heads of state, President Tshisekedi declared: “I am taking up the torch of command that you have entrusted to me. We want a more united, stronger and more prosperous Congo .” This re-election marks the second peaceful transfer of power in the Democratic Republic of Congo since its independence in 1960.
Contested elections:
Félix Tshisekedi won his re-election with more than 70% of the votes, according to the electoral commission. However, opposition candidates and their supporters questioned the validity of the election, which was marred by logistical problems. Many polling stations opened late, if at all, and some lacked materials. The participation rate was 40%, according to the electoral commission.
The challenge and the decision of the constitutional court:
Opposition candidates called on their supporters to protest the president’s inauguration, but no demonstrations were reported in the capital, Kinshasa, on Saturday. The constitutional court this month rejected a petition from an opposition candidate seeking to annul the election. The court ruled that the allegations of fraud were unfounded and that Félix Tshisekedi had obtained “a majority of the votes cast”.
Economic and security challenges:
The Democratic Republic of Congo, a country of more than 100 million people, is full of mineral resources, but economic and security challenges hamper its development. According to United Nations statistics, a quarter of the population faces crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity.
Conclusion :
Félix Tshisekedi’s second term as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo promises to be a challenge to unify the country and address economic and security challenges. Through his swearing-in, he reiterated his commitment to protecting the population of the east of the country, thus reaffirming his desire to move the country towards prosperity and stability.