The incumbent President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has celebrated his victory in the presidential elections after the announcement of preliminary results that gave him more than 73 percent of the vote, despite the opposition completely rejecting his triumph. “This victory is yours. It is the victory of the solidarity and unity of the people in what they have in common and in their greatest diversity. “It is the victory of the solidarity of the Congolese in the west, in the center, in the north, in the south and…” east of the Republic of Congo, as well as in our diaspora,” said the president in a speech reported by the news portal “Actualité”. Tshisekedi viewed his victory as “confidence” of the Congolese for a second term, even though there were around twenty candidates for the country's presidency. “I want to assure you that this second mandate that you have just given me will be dedicated to further measures to realize these commitments,” he promised. The Congolese government, through the Ministry of Communications, congratulated Tshisekedi on “his brilliant re-election” and said it “welcomes” the publication of the preliminary results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Ceni). Likewise, he congratulated “the Congolese people for their participation in the electoral process and their maturity in freely electing their President in the elections of December 20, 2023” and highlighted the work of the Ceni in carrying out “free, democratic and transparent” elections , inclusive and peaceful” within the set deadline “despite the enormous challenges”. “At the same time, we welcome the participation without exclusion of all other candidates in the 2023 presidential elections and encourage the various aggrieved candidates to resort to legal means for any possible challenge to the results,” it said in a statement urging the population to “calmly” to celebrate. this “celebration of democracy”. USA WARNING OF THE DANGER OF VIOLENT CONFRONTATION The US authorities warned this Monday of the risk of a violent confrontation after the elections, affirming that “the only way to challenge the election results” is through the courts. “We are aware that several candidates are refusing to accept these preliminary results. However, we reiterate that the only means to challenge the results and demand accountability must be through the legal system and peaceful civic engagement. Resorting to violent confrontation will neither resolve grievances nor advance democracy,” he said. The U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa has called on authorities to “fairly and transparently investigate all concerns regarding non-compliance with electoral law procedures and allegations of fraud and violence.” He also called for “vigorous” defense of freedom of expression, movement and assembly. While waiting for the Constitutional Court to confirm the electoral body's results, the opposition has completely rejected Tshisekedi's re-election and accused the President of the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), Denis Kadima, of manipulating the results. “Mr Kadima and the CENI have crossed the Rubicon,” complained opposition member Martin Fayulu. “You identified yourself as envoys at the service of Mr. Félix Tshisekedi Tshilombo to wash away the shame that has tainted him since 2018,” the opponent said in comments collected by Radio Okapi. Tshisekedi, son of historic opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi, who died in 2017, has faced a total of 21 candidates after a campaign marked by mistrust of the role of the electoral commission and episodes of violence at various campaign events by prominent opponents. This time the elections took place despite calls from some opponents for a postponement, particularly due to increasing insecurity in the east, where dozens of armed groups operate, including one linked to the Islamic State.
