In a joint statement, a coalition of main opposition candidates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has vehemently rejected the official results of the presidential election, which declared incumbent Felix Tshisekedi the winner with approximately 73% of the vote. The opposition, led by figures such as Moise Katumbi, who secured 18% of the vote, pointed to a series of irregularities throughout the electoral process.
The nine opposition candidates highlighted concerns about violations of electoral law, citing irregularities observed before, during, and after the voting process. They raised objections to the continuation of voting for six days, the presence of parallel polling stations, and the alleged control of voting machines by candidates with perceived ties to the current regime.
In a joint statement issued hours before the official announcement, the opposition candidates categorically rejected the election outcome, deeming it a “sham” and a “masquerade.” Martin Fayulu, one of the key opposition figures, urged the Congolese people to protest massively in the streets in response to what they perceived as electoral fraud.
The Congolese government, however, has dismissed calls for a rerun of the elections, setting the stage for a heightened political standoff. The December 20 quadruple ballot, which included the presidential election, national and provincial deputies, and local councillors, involved nearly 44 million voters in the vast Central African country.
The opposition’s rejection of the election results underscores the deep-seated political tensions in the DRC and raises concerns about the credibility of the electoral process. As the situation unfolds, the international community will closely monitor developments, keenly aware of the potential for unrest and the impact on the democratic trajectory of the nation.