Presidential Election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2018)

Background

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held its presidential election on December 30, 2018. This election was significant as it marked the first peaceful transfer of power in the DRC since its independence from Belgium in 1960. The election was originally scheduled for 2016 but was delayed multiple times, leading to political unrest and protests.

Key Figures

• Félix Tshisekedi: Leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), he was one of the main opposition candidates. Tshisekedi is the son of Étienne Tshisekedi, a prominent opposition figure in the DRC.
• Martin Fayulu: Another leading opposition candidate, backed by several opposition coalitions. He was a former business executive and parliamentarian.
• Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary: The candidate from the ruling party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), and a close ally of outgoing President Joseph Kabila.

Election and Results

The election took place amid logistical challenges, including issues with voter registration and the use of electronic voting machines, which were controversial. Despite these challenges, the election proceeded, and the results were announced on January 10, 2019.

• Félix Tshisekedi was declared the winner with 38.57% of the vote.
• Martin Fayulu received 34.83% of the vote and contested the results, alleging electoral fraud.
• Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary came in third with 23.84%.

Aftermath

The announcement of Tshisekedi’s victory was met with mixed reactions:

• Domestic Reaction: There were celebrations among Tshisekedi’s supporters, but Fayulu’s supporters and some civil society groups claimed the results were rigged. Fayulu filed a legal challenge, but the Constitutional Court upheld Tshisekedi’s victory.
• International Reaction: The African Union and several countries expressed concerns about the transparency of the election. However, many nations, including the United States and South Africa, eventually recognized Tshisekedi’s presidency.

Historical Significance

Félix Tshisekedi’s election marked a historic moment for the DRC, as it was the first peaceful transition of power through an election. Despite controversies, it was a step towards democratic consolidation in a country with a history of political instability and conflict. Tshisekedi’s presidency began with promises of reform and national unity, setting a new course for the DRC’s future.