President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi, was sworn in for a second five-year term on Saturday after sweeping elections which the opposition branded a sham while calling for protests.
The inauguration ceremony took place at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte (Martyrs Stadium) in Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC, following the confirmation of President Tshisekedi’s re-election by the Constitutional Court of the DRC on 9th January 2024.
The DRC head of State – son of the late political figure Etienne Tshisekedi – amassed 73.57 percent of the total votes.
READ MORE: President of Xiluva calls for free, fair polls in DR Congo.
The ceremony was attended by hundreds of Congolese citizens and foreign dignitaries which included several current and former Heads of State and Government from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region, Africa and across the world.
In his inauguration speech, Tshisekedi outlined his vision of a more united, secure and more prosperous DRC, highlighting the need for social cohesion among all Congolese people irrespective of tribal, ethnic and religious background “to accelerate an inclusive national development.”
He pledged to work diligently in his second term towards achieving peace and security of the DRC; creating more jobs, particularly for young people; providing universal access to basic services like health and education for the people of the DRC; and diversifying DRC’s economy through effective use of the country’s vast agricultural and mineral resources.
Tshisekedi, who is the Outgoing Chairperson of SADC, also took the opportunity to assure the international community of DRC’s continued commitment to be a key player and catalyst for regional and continental integration, as well as a shared prosperity.
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