Kinshasa – Angolan president João Lourenço and 17 other African heads of state attended Saturday the inauguration of the Democratic Republic of Congo president-elect Félix Tshisekedi for a second five-year term at the helm of Africa's second largest country.
During the ceremony, Félix Tshisekedi swore allegiance to his homeland, respect for the Constitution and the law, defend independence and promote development and the well-being and unity of the Congolese people, as well as the observance of human rights and to be a servant of the people.
In his first speech, Felix Tshisekedi said he will work for a stronger, more united and prosperous DRC towards democracy and social progress.
The DRC president called for national cohesion and the fight against destabilizing and terrorist forces and all forms of discrimination and division that harm the country's development.
Mr. Tshisekedi added a more independent economy is wanted with monetary stability and an industry capable of transforming agricultural products, underlining the need to reform the defense and security agencies to defend national borders and protect citizens and improve efficiency of public services.
Felix Tshisekedi pledged to work towards the empowerment of youth and women, create more jobs and to protect purchasing power and make the DRC an active player among nations, especially on the African continent.
Among the statesmen present were Denis Sasso Nguesso (Congo), Emmerson mnangagwa (Zimbabwe), Ismail Guelleh (Djibouti), Maki Saal (Senegal), Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana), Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Umaro Embalo (Guinea-Bissau), Evariste Ndayishimiye (Burundi), Lazarus Chakwera (Malawi), Idriss Déby (Chad) and Brice Oligui Nguema (transitional president of Gabon).
Also present were the presidents emeritus of Kenya, Madagascar and Nigeria, as well as envoys from the governments of the United States of America, China, the European Union and Japan.
Félix Tshisekedi, who ran for the Union for Democratic and Social Progress (UDPS) party, was re-elected for another five-year term in the elections held in December 2023 with 73.34% of the vote.
He was first elected president after the elections of January 30, 2018, replacing Joseph Kabila.
The 2018 election is considered historic, since it was the first time in the history of the country, which is independent from Belgium since 1960, that a peaceful political transition took place, unlike the previous ones that occurred through coups d'état or the overthrow of established power. JFS/VIC/AMP
