DR Congo's President Tshisekedi wins second term in landslide victory

Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi has won a second term in office, according to results announced on Sunday, December 31, 2023.

According to DRC’s electoral commission, Tshisekedi won the presidential election with 73 percent of the total votes cast.

At the same time, the DRC opposition candidates have dismissed the provisional results as announced by the electoral commission, claiming that the election was marred with irregularities.

On the other hand, businessman Moise Katumbi was second after garnering 18 percent of the votes.

Another presidential candidate Martin Fayulu was third with about 5 percent of total votes cast. Fayulu, who also contested in the 2018 presidential election and lost, has claimed that his votes were stolen.

Other presidential candidates including Nobel Prize winner Denis Mkwege garnered less than 1 percent of the votes.

On Sunday, December 31, nine opposition candidates signed a declaration rejecting Tshisekedi’s victory, and called for a re-run.

Speaking during a press briefing in Kinshasa on December 31, Fayulu termed the election a sham and unacceptable.

However, DRC’s constitutional court is expected to make a ruling on January 10, 2024, either confirming or rejecting the election results.

Approximately 44 million Congolese nationals were registered as voters for the elections that were held on December 20, 2023. The voting was extended for an additional day due to some challenges experienced in the remote areas.

A section of election observers admitted there were a few irregularities during voting as authorities insist that any electoral disputes should be presented to the constitutional court.

In addition, 15 embassies in Kinshasa have urged residents to remain calm as the electoral body and dissatisfied candidates seek ways of resolving their election related disputes.

However, opposition candidates declared that they do not have confidence in the electoral commission and the courts because they were allegedly compromised by the government.