President Joseph Kabila’s party, the People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD), and its allies will hold a majority of seats in the new parliament, according to the results of the Nov. 28 parliamentary elections published by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday.

Etienne Tshisekedi’s call for a general strike beginning Monday around the Democratic Republic of Congo has largely been ignored.

Etienne Tshisekedi announced during a press conference on Friday that he was “officially assuming his functions as the head of state elected by the people.”

Etienne Tshisekedi inaugurated himself as the president of Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday. The ceremony was staged at his home after police prevented him and his supporters from holding the event at Stade des Martyrs.

President Joseph Kabila was sworn in on Tuesday and pledged to speed up the modernization of the Democratic Republic of Congo in his second five-year term. “I will work with all compatriots who have the passion of the Congo and who sincerely want to work for its modernization. When serving the country, there are no political camps. Only competence, patriotism and goodwill matter.”, Mr. Kabila said.

Etienne Tshisekedi declared himself president-elect of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday and called for the armed forces and the police to arrest President Joseph Kabila. “I consider myself from this day on the president elected by the Congolese people” Mr. Tshisekedi said. Mr. Tshisekedi asked his followers to “stay calm and serene to maintain a good business climate for foreign investments”. “I ask you to be calm and serene because a winner does not worry, to the contrary, he remains calm.  As for those who are causing our troubles, beginning with Mr. Kabila, I ask all of you [...]

Unlike the Independent National Electoral Commission, which published the results of the presidential election showing why it says Joseph Kabila won and for everyone to see and scrutinize, Etienne Tshisekedi has so far provided no proof to support his claim of an outright victory. Yet, the longtime opposition leader has said, once again, that he now considers himself president.

The Supreme Court has upheld the results of the Nov. 28 presidential election published by the Independent National Electoral Commission last Friday. The Supreme Court ruled that Joseph Kabila won 48,95% of the votes, Etienne Tshisekedi 32,33%, Vital Kamerhe 7,74%, Leon Kengo wa Dondo 4,95%, Mbusa Nyamwisi 1,72%, Nzanga Mobutu 1,75%, with the remaining 5 candidates garnering less than 1% each.

The Supreme Court held a hearing Friday on Vital Kamerhe’s appeal challenging the presidential election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Le Cardinal Monsengwo a menti quand il a remis en cause les résultats de l’élection présidentielle du 28 novembre telles que publiées par la Commission électorale nationale indépendante. En effet, un communiqué de presse envoyé aux journaux de Kinshasa contredit les accusations graves portées lundi par l’Archevêque de Kinshasa sur la CENI.