Felix Tshisekedi inaugurated for second term as DR Congo president

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) – Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in Saturday for a second five-year term as president the Democratic Republic of Congo following a December election.

Dieudonne Kamuleta, head of the constitutional court, administered the oath at the Martyrs Stadium in the capital Kinshasa.

Tshisekedi vowed to “observe and defend the Constitution, laws, to maintain its independence, safeguard national unity as well as respect human rights.”

He promised to work to the expectations of the population in relation to eradication of armed groups posing insecurity in the east and guarantee all people’s security.

The 60-year-old said he would work toward creating more jobs, ensure national security, continue the diversification of the economy and guarantee access to basic services such as free education.

He commended the candidates who withdrew from the race in his favor, the different political groups as well as opposition candidates for their participation in the presidential election.

Several African presidents including South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Macky Sall of Senegal, Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo, Angola’s Joao Lourenco and Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia joined about 80,000 Congolese nationals at the ceremony that featured a military parade as well as 21-gun salute.

Tshisekedi was declared winner of a presidential election held on Dec. 20 with 73.47% of the vote, while main opposition candidate Moise Katumbi trailed behind with 18.08%, according to final results. Opposition candidates called the election a fraud, a claim dismissed by the top court.

He first took office in 2019 as leader of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest country after winning the 2018 presidential election, marking the first peaceful transfer of power since the nation's independence from Belgium in 1960.