KINSHASA, DRC – The Democratic Republic of Congo’s election commission announced on Sunday that President Felix Tshisekedi has been re-elected for a second term after receiving more than 73% of the vote in a Dec. 20 poll.
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Tshisekedi secured more than 13 million out of over 18 million valid votes.
In the capital of Kinshasa, Tshisekedi spoke to a crowd of supporters and pledged his “commitment not to spare any effort so that our country will retake its rightful place, and so that the Congolese people will recover their pride and dignity in belonging to this country.”
The DRC’s presidential election has been hampered by numerous setbacks and concerns, including transparency. The declaration of the result on Sunday comes on the heels of more than a week of complaints and protests from opponents who voiced concerns about how the election had been carried out.
Democratic Republic of Congo is the leading producer of cobalt and many precious metals that have become industrial commodities that end up in everyday electronics across the globe, including North American consumer markets.
Tshisekedi’s leading opposition has ruled out legally challenging the results of the election.
More about Democratic Republic of Congo presidential election.
Corey A. Washington is Editor of BLK News Now! His journalism experience includes Television, Newspapers, and Digital Media as a Writer, Reporter, Content Producer, and Digital Producer. Some of those media outlets include CBS Phoenix (KPHO), NBC4 Los Angeles, ABC7 Los Angeles, California Black Media, SCNG, and more. He can be reached at Corey@BLKNewsNow.com.