The re-election of President Felix Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was officially affirmed by the Constitutional Court on Tuesday, confirming his victory in the December 20 polls.
Tshisekedi secured a commanding 73.47 percent of the vote, with the main opposition candidate, Moise Katumbi, trailing behind at 18.08 percent, as declared by the court.
The president-elect is slated to take the oath of office on January 20, pending the Constitutional Court’s endorsement of the election results.
During the general elections overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission, more than 18 million Congolese cast their votes out of the 44 million registered voters for positions including the president, the National Assembly, and the 26 provincial assemblies.
Despite allegations of irregularities raised by opposition candidates, the electoral commission asserted that these issues would not affect the election’s outcome.
This election holds significance as it marks the second peaceful transfer of power in the country since its independence in 1960. Tshisekedi initially assumed office in 2018, marking the nation’s inaugural peaceful transition of power following its independence from Belgium.
