Congolese President Tshisekedi sworn in for second term in office

Following his emergence from the December 20 poll, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s president, Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn in for another term in office. The incumbent President who won a disputed poll promised to address key issues facing the country in his acceptance speech before a fully packed stadium in the capital, Kinshasa…

President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo was officially sworn in for a second five-year term on Saturday after a landslide victory in the December elections.

Tshisekedi took the oath of office in a stadium in Kinshasa, which was crowded with flag-waving fans, government officials, African heads of state, and foreign envoys from the US, China, and France.

In a speech, he highlighted the nation’s desire for an improved standard of living and economic prospects.

The president promised a profound restructuring of the security and defence apparatus and further diplomatic efforts to address Congo’s recurring security crisis in the eastern provinces.

Despite the victory by President Tshisekedi, opposition parties have refused to recognise the election that produced him for another term due to widespread irregularities over the December general election.

Authorities noted there were flaws in polls but denied allegations that the vote was manipulated.

The tense impasse resembles earlier electoral issues that sparked violence in Africa’s second-largest country, with protests breaking out in two eastern cities.

Protests broke out in the eastern city of Goma and other urban centres, but were contained by the mass deployment of security forces, according to Reuters.

Although opposition figures, including Moise Katumbi and Martin Fayulu, have refused to contest the presidential results in court, African and Western countries have raised concerns that the post-election dispute could further destabilise a globally important mineral exporter.