Felix Tshisekedi, the president-elect of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), was officially sworn in for his second consecutive five-year term in office. The inauguration ceremony, held at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa, witnessed the presence of approximately 20 heads of state, primarily from Africa, along with several foreign dignitaries.
In early January, the DRC Constitutional Court confirmed Tshisekedi’s reelection after the polls on December 20. Tshisekedi secured 73.47 percent of the vote, while the main opposition candidate, Moise Katumbi, trailed with 18.08 percent.
During his inauguration speech, President Tshisekedi pledged to address key issues, including job creation, household purchasing power, national security, economic diversification, and access to basic services. He condemned persistent threats against the DRC and observed a minute of silence for fallen heroes and victims of barbarism in the country.
“Today, a new era is born, an era of maturity, a magnified era, an era transcended by the renewed oath ‘Never betray the Congo,'” declared President Felix Tshisekedi.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, overseeing the general elections, reported that over 18 million Congolese, out of 44 million registered voters, participated in the elections for the president, the National Assembly, and the 26 provincial assemblies. Despite opposition allegations of irregularities, the electoral commission assured that these issues would not impact the election outcome.
This election holds historical significance as it marks the second peaceful transfer of power in the country’s history since gaining independence in 1960. Tshisekedi previously assumed power in 2018, achieving the country’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium.
