LIVE: DRC swears in President Tshisekedi as Kabila bows out

Democratic Republic Of Congo

A number of leaders of government and representatives are already in the capital, Kinshasa for the swearing in ceremony of Felix Tshisekedi as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

Today’s ceremony will also draw the curtain on Joseph Kabila’s tenure. It is keenly watched because it is the first peaceful handover of executive power.

Felix Tshisekedi becomes the fifth president of the resource rich nation. It is the first transfer of power by one democratically elected leader to another.

Thousands of Congolese especially members of Tshisekedi’s party, the UPDS, continue to troop to the venue of the event, the presidential palace.

In his inaugural address, he preached the need for unity and the resolve to ensure that the country’s resources would be used to the benefit of all citizens.

He was however taken ill with the State broadcaster reporting that it was a minor condition that was as a result of work overload. He, however, recovered and returned to continue the speech.

The outgoing ministers and Constitutional Court judges are already at the venue according to reports. The outgoing Senate president, Tshisekedi’s coalition partner Vital Kamerhe and the ruling party’s candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary are all present.

The Constitutional Court affirms the victory of Tshisekedi at the polls. He becomes the substantive president after the swearing in. The court has also shared a brief personality profile.

International guests – according to media reports

Zimbabwe VP Constantino Chiwenga
Congo Republic Foreign Minister, Jean Claude Gakosso
Kenya government represented by President Kenyatta
Burundi represented by VP Joseph Butore
Tanzania represented by VP Samia Suluhu
Namibia represented by its vice-president
Gabon represented by Prime Minister
Egypt represented by a Minister
South Africa represented by Minister of Economic Development
Central African Republic represented by a Minister
Morocco represented by a Minister
South Sudan
Sudan
Malawi

Photos from the investiture ceremony

Outgoing Joseph Kabila arrives at venue of presidential inauguration in Kinshasa
- Receives a military salute
- Greets dignitaries
- Takes his place beside incoming president
- Ceremony officially underway pic.twitter.com/a8BKfGnTOn

— africanews (@africanews) January 24, 2019

PHOTOS: Investiture of President Felix Tshisekedi at the forecourt of seat of presidency, Kinshasa. ?????? pic.twitter.com/TR5YAMp9M6

— africanews (@africanews) January 24, 2019

PHOTOS: Judges of the Constitutional Court arrive to officially swear in the president. pic.twitter.com/PpnrKxOTfK

— africanews (@africanews) January 24, 2019

UDPS supporters stream into the presidential palace for Felix Tshisekedi’s inauguration pic.twitter.com/BnOULK3sQG

— Tom Wilson (@thomas_m_wilson) January 24, 2019

CENI, the elections body declared Tshisekedi winner of the December 30, 2018 presidential election. The provisional declaration was affirmed by the Constitutional Court which dismissed a poll petition brought by candidate Martin Fayulu.

Kabila in his last state of the nation address called for support for Tshisekedi stressing that he was happy that an opposition candidate had won the polls, he also said he was available in any capacity to help the new leader steer affairs of the country.

Some reports had suggested that the two had entered into an agreement that saw the election results skewed in the incoming president’s favour – both camps have rejected the claims.

The Catholic Church has openly said that it was concerned that Tshisekedi will become a placeholder of a president whiles the real power could reside in Kabila.

Kabila could remote-control Tshisekedi – Kinshasa Archbishop worried Brief about President-Elect Felix Tshisekedi

1 – Full name: Felix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, born on June 13, 1963 – aged 56
2 – Son of veteran opposition leader, late Etienne Tshisekedi. Dad founded Union for Democracy and Social Progress, UDPS, in 1982.
3 – In early twenties, went to Belgium for university education, later became national secretary for external affairs for the UDPS, based in Brussels.
4 – Father died in early 2017, UPDS picked Felix as party leader and by default presidential candidate.
5 – Joined and abandoned Lamuka coalition. Weeks later he announced a two-man coalition with Vital Kamerhe, the CACH coalition, in Nairobi.
6 – Declared president-elect after December 30, 2018 elections.

Country Profile: Democratic Republic of Congo

1 – National capital / official languages = Kinshasa / French
2 – Currency in circulation = ‎ Congolese franc
3 – Current political leader = Joseph Kabila
4 – Population estimate = 83,301,151 (July 2017 est.)
5 – Date of independence = June 30, 1960.
6 – Country codes: telephone ‎(+243), internet (.cd)