Congo opposition leaders call for nationwide protest on inauguration day

Three opposition leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo announced a nationwide protest to hold on Saturday. The protest coincides with President Félix Tshisekedi’s second-term inauguration.

The electoral commission declared that Tshisekedi won last month’s election with 73% of the vote. However, opposition candidates, including Moise Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, and Anzuluni Bembe, labelled the outcome a “sham.”

Widespread allegations of fraud, logistical shortcomings, and disruptions have marred Tshisekedi’s vote, prompting opposition leaders to call for a rerun, which the authorities dismissed.

“We are having a protest on Jan. 20 because we will not accept the results, there was fraud everywhere and the elections must be annulled,” Katumbi said in an online press briefing.

According to Katumbi, the protests would be held in the capital, Kinshasa and the second-largest city, Lubumbashi.

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