Post-election violence has erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo as President Félix Tshisekedi seeks a second term. Chaotic scenes unfolded in the capital, Kinshasa, as police used tear gas and live rounds to disperse angry crowds protesting against the electoral commission’s results. The Congolese Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) is preparing to release the official results of the general election, but early figures indicate a clear lead for President Tshisekedi.
However, the biggest challenge for the administration lies in maintaining post-election peace, as several of Tshisekedi’s challengers and the Church have already rejected the results. Preliminary results show Tshisekedi leading in every region of the vast country, with his Sacred Union of the Nation coalition securing a sweeping victory.
Of the 12.5 million votes counted by the electoral commission (CENI), President Tshisekedi received 76% of the vote, with Moïse Katumbi and Martin Fayulu following with 16.5% and 4.4%, respectively. The remaining candidates, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege, failed to secure even 1% of the vote.
While the CENI has not yet announced the official results, the Constitutional Court is set to make the final decision in January. Opposition candidate Martin Fayulu has already rejected the election results, citing “organized, planned fraud.”
In addition to the presidential elections, legislative, provincial, and local elections were held. However, logistical challenges led to an extension of the voting period in some remote areas, with the Catholic and Protestant Churches reporting various irregularities that could affect the election’s integrity.
Tensions are mounting as the official results announcement approaches, raising concerns of potential unrest in a country with a turbulent political history and stark economic disparities. The government has heightened security measures to maintain peace and prevent chaos following the election results.
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