President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been sworn in for a second five-year term on Saturday after a landslide victory in a disputed election.
The opposition parties have refused to recognise his victory due to alleged widespread irregularities during the election.
While the Congolese authorities have acknowledged there were issues, it dismissed allegations the vote was stolen. The fractious standoff echoes previous electoral disputes that fueled unrest in Africa’s second-largest country, with protests breaking out in two eastern cities.
According to Reuters, Tshisekedi took the oath of office in a stadium in the capital city Kinshasa packed with flag-waving supporters, government officials, African heads of state and foreign envoys including from the United States, China, and France.
In a speech, the DRC President acknowledged the nation’s hopes of better living conditions and economic opportunities. Around 62% of Congo’s 100 million people live on less than a dollar a day.
“I am aware of your expectations. A goal of this new five-year term is to create more jobs,” he said.
