Felix Tshisekedi, leader of the
Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDSP), has been announced winner of
the presidential election in Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the provisional results
released by the country’s electoral commission, Tshisekedi defeated Martin
Fayulu, his rival who had since rejected the outcome— describing it as having
“nothing to do with the truth of the ballot box”.
If unchallenged, this would
signal Congo’s first democratic transition of power since 1960 when the country
gained independence.
Tshisekedi, son of late
opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, will take over from President Joseph
Kabila who is stepping down after 18 years in office.
Emmanuel Shadary, Kabila’s
preferred candidate, came a distant third at the poll.
Addressing supporters at UDSP
headquarters in Kinshasa, Tshisekedi said Kabila is no longer a rival.
“I pay tribute to President
Joseph Kabila and today we should no longer see him as an adversary, but
rather, a partner in democratic change in our country,” he said.
There are reports that the
electoral process was marred by irregularities, and this, many fear may lead to
an uprising between supporters of the major contenders.
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