What to remember from Felix Tshisekedi's result the day after the provisional results?
Felix Tshisekedi has been re-elected President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with 73.34% of the vote according to the official result announced on 31 December 2023 in Kinshasa. Pending the final results of these presidential elections and the partial legislative, regional and municipal elections, here are some decryption elements related to the victory of the outgoing head of state.
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And with our special correspondent in Kinshasa, Paulina Zaidi
Democratic Republic of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) bears the name of who will lead the country for the next five years: the outgoing president, Felix Tshisekedi, who won this presidential election, in one round, with more than 73% of the votes. The results were announced on 31 December 2023 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni).
Read alsoElections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Analysis and reactions to Felix Tshisekedi's victory the day after provisional results
Kinshasa voted mainly for Felix Tshisekedi, according to the results of the presidential elections
Since then, the situation has become rather calm in the country, as in Kinshasa where RFI correspondents were at midday on January 1, 2024. More precisely in the municipality of Gombe, which is considered the administrative center of the capital. The office area is, of course, closed on this public holiday.
As is the case almost everywhere in the world last night, people came out to celebrate the New Year. The scars of the night of partying that were still visible on Monday morning.
On the streets of the capital, there is no disagreement either. According to the results of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the city voted mainly for President Felix Tshisekedi. It was not easy because Kinshasa traditionally supports the opposition to some extent. Even if the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), the presidential party, has a fairly strong stronghold in the town of Lemite.
Strong allies in several governorates
Finally, Kinshasa joined several provinces, especially the entire north of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It must be said that the outgoing president allied himself with important figures such as the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense, Jean-Pierre BembaAnd its stronghold is the greater Equator. There are also unexpected results in the east, with the exception of Katanga, which was taken over by its former ruler Musa Katumbi.
Should we see the influence of presidential allies from Kivu, Finance Minister Vital Kamerhe or even Senate President Modeste Bahati?
In the rest of the country, only one province escaped the re-elected president: Coelho, the opponent's historic stronghold. Martin Violo.
First, there is this identity-based strategy during the election campaign. The outgoing President campaigned effectively using highly nationalistic, anti-Rwanda rhetoric. He was one of the few who directly pointed to Paul Kagame as the source of misfortune in the east of the country. President Tshisekedi also played on fears – fear of the unknown, fear of the candidate from outside – as he ultimately built the image of a protector of national sovereignty, and it seems clear, in light of the interim results – which the opposition is contesting – that this strategy appears to be working. He works.
Tresor Kibangula, political analyst at the Ibuteli Research Institute, talks about Felix Tshisekedi's electoral strategy
Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: What are the next steps after the provisional results of the presidential elections?
If the provisional results of the presidential elections are announced on Sunday, this does not mean the end of the electoral process, as candidates will be able to submit appeals before the Constitutional Court starting Tuesday.
Timing is tight for candidates who want to submit two appeals: they have two days to do so, January 2 and 3. These potential appeals will be examined by the Constitutional Court, which has about ten days to rule and announce the final results of this presidential election.
We are also waiting for other results. In fact, three other polls were organized at the same time: the national delegation, the provincial delegate, and the municipal by-election. We will have to wait until we get an idea of the composition of Parliament, as it should be announced on January 3, as is the case for the regional assemblies. As for the municipal elections, they will be a little longer: results are expected on February 4.
Then there are the ballot boxes that have not yet been organized. They are essentially indirect ballots. Voters must be called again on Monday, January 1. According to the calendar of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Céni): February 25, Senate elections; On March 12, the governors and their deputies; On March 30, mayors, their deputies and members of urban councils; On May 27, mayors and their deputies. Other elections will follow in 2024, but later at the sector and sheikhdom levels.
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