By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.
Accept
Okay.ngOkay.ngOkay.ng
Font ResizerAa
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Reading: Opposition Leader, Felix Tshisekedi Declared Winner of Congo Election
Share
Font ResizerAa
Okay.ngOkay.ng
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Search
  • News
    • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business & Economy
  • Sport
  • Tech
Follow US
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2022 - All rights reserved
News

Opposition Leader, Felix Tshisekedi Declared Winner of Congo Election

Farouk Mohammed
By Farouk Mohammed
Published: January 10, 2019
Share
5 Min Read
SHARE

Democratic Republic of Congo’s electoral commission on Thursday declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the surprise winner of 30 December presidential election, a result that sets the stage for the country’s first democratic transfer of power.

But the runner up in the poll, Martin Fayulu dismissed the result as “a true electoral coup”.

Tshisekedi won with 38.57 percent of more than 18 million ballots cast, Corneille Nangaa, the president of the election commission (CENI), told a news conference at about 3 a.m. , that appeared timed to avoid any immediate reaction in the streets.

“Felix Tshisekedi Tshilombo is declared the provisionally- elected president of Democratic Republic of Congo,” Nangaa said, to a mixture of cheers and gasps inside CENI headquarters.

- Advertisement -

In the Kinshasa neighbourhood of Limete where Tshisekedi lives, thousands of people danced in the streets in celebration and cars slowed down and honked their horns.

Some chanted that Congo had “turned the page” on the Kabila era, which began in 1997 when Joseph Kabila’s father, Laurent, led a rebellion that overthrew longtime leader Mobutu Sese Seko. Joseph took over in 2001 when Laurent was assassinated.

If Tshisekedi’s victory is confirmed in the next 10 days by the constitutional court, he will become the first leader to take power at the ballot box since Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, who was toppled in a coup less than three months after independence in 1960 and killed four months later.

The outcome of the contentious Dec. 30 poll is likely to be contested by Fayulu. Vote tallies by Congo’s Catholic church showed Fayulu as victor, according to two diplomats briefed on the findings.

- Advertisement -

Opposition fears that authorities would rig the vote in favour of Kabila’s hand-picked candidate, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, did not materialize as Shadary finished a distant third to Tshisekedi and Fayulu, with about 4.4 million votes.

However, the result, which observers said was marred by a spate of irregularities, is certain to fuel further suspicion among Fayulu’s supporters that Tshisekedi, shown by the last opinion polls before the election to be running well behind Fayulu, struck a power-sharing pact with Kabila.

Fayulu was backed by two prominent foes of Kabila, both of whom were barred from standing in the election. Kabila referred to one of them, ex-provincial governor Moise Katumbi, as “Judas” in a recent interview with local media.

Tshisekedi’s camp has acknowledged contacts since the vote with Kabila’s representatives but said they were aimed at ensuring a peaceful transition and denied there had been any kind of deal.

Tshisekedi is the son of the legendary Etienne Tshisekedi, who led opposition to three successive presidents over 35 years. Felix’s profile rose after his father died in 2017, soon after negotiating the terms of a transition period when Kabila refused to step down at the official end of his mandate the previous year.

Losing candidates can contest Tshisekedi’s victory before Congo’s constitutional court, which has 10 days to hear and rule on any challenges.

Any widespread perception the election has been stolen could set off a destabilising cycle of unrest, particularly in the volatile eastern borderlands where Fayulu enjoyed some of his strongest support.

The Catholic Church’s bishops conference said last week that it knew the identity of the winner and demanded that CENI publish accurate results. The Church did not say who it thought the winner was, but briefed diplomats on its conclusions.

Authorities cancel led voting on election day for more than one million people, saying the vote could not go ahead because of an Ebola outbreak and militia violence.

Observers said many polling stations opened late and closed early and in some places voting machines malfunctioned.

Stay Updated on the Go with Our Latest News—Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!
TAGGED:AfricaFelix TshisekediWorld
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Email Copy Link Print
ByFarouk Mohammed
Publisher
Follow:
Farouk Mohammed is a Head Editor at Okay Nigeria (Okay.ng). He has been publishing for 10 years and focused more on Local/World News on Okay.ng
Previous Article Many Passengers Trapped as Train Derails at Mangoro, Agege, Lagos [Photos]
Next Article LASEMA Gives Update on Derailed Train in Lagos

Connect with Okay on Social

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
TelegramFollow

Dollar/Naira Rates

Dollar to Naira Rate

Okay.ng Logo
Buy Rate ₦1,560.00
Sell Rate ₦1,570.00

Updated: 2 days ago

Displayed rates are for informational purposes only and are subject to change.

Quick Converter

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Recent Posts

Dangote Refinery Unveils N720bn CNG Truck Fleet to Slash Fuel Costs, Save Nigeria Over N1.7trn Annually
Energy & Oil
Nigerian Troops Neutralize Terror Kingpin Mai Dada, Recover Arms in Multi-Region Operations
Security
NNPP Welcomes Possibility of Rabiu Kwankwaso Joining APC Amidst Ganduje’s Resignation
News
Tinubu’s State Visit to Saint Lucia Marks Historic Diplomatic and Cultural Engagement, Presidency Clarifies
International News
President Bola Tinubu Suspends Implementation of Financial Reporting Council Amendment Act 2023
News
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You May Also Like

News

Aminu Dantata to be Buried in Madinah After Saudi Approval

Muhammad A. Aliyu
Muhammad A. Aliyu
June 29, 2025
CrimeVideo

VIDEO: NDLEA Issues Strong Advisory to Travellers Against Carrying Unknown Bags

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
News

SERAP Demands Transparency from Nigeria’s Governors on Security Vote Spending

Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
Oluwadara Akingbohungbe
June 29, 2025
Okay.ngOkay.ng
Follow US
© OKN MEDIA PUBLISHING 2025 - All rights reserved
  • About Okay.ng
  • Advertising on Okay.ng
  • Contact Okay.ng
  • Careers
  • Meet the Team behind Okay.ng
  • Ownership and Funding of Okay.ng
  • Editorial Principles at Okay.ng
adbanner
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?