Felix Tshisekedi, the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), has been inaugurated for a second five-year term following contentious elections in December. During the ceremony held in Kinshasa’s Martyrs sports stadium, Tshisekedi, also known as “Fatshi,” expressed his commitment to a more united, stronger, and prosperous Congo. He acknowledged the expectations of the Congolese people, particularly regarding unemployment, youth, women’s rights, and national cohesion. The inauguration took place amidst simmering tensions in the volatile eastern provinces of the country. The stadium was filled with enthusiastic supporters, awaiting the arrival of African heads of state and traditional chiefs from the DRC’s provinces. Tshisekedi initially assumed the presidency in January 2019 after controversially defeating Joseph Kabila. While he has not fully delivered on his promises to improve living conditions and end violence in the east, he campaigned for a second term based on his first-term achievements, such as providing free primary medication, aiming to consolidate progress during his new mandate.
