(Ecofin Agency) - In the democratic republic of Congo, the suspense has ended. The candidate of the opposition Félix Tshisekedi was proclaimed "the temporary winner" of the presidential election of December 30, 2018.  

"I salute president Joseph Kabila. As of today, we must no more consider him as an enemy but as a partner for democratic change in our country”, M. Tshisekedi said when the result was announced.

During the campaign, Félix Tshisekedi was associated with Vital Kamerhe. Both had left the association of opposition parties for whom Martin Faluyu had unanimously been chosen as the candidate.  

According to Martin Fayulu, who was considered to be the winner by some polls, “those results have nothing to do with the result of the elections”. He further denounced an "electoral fraud". He is also sure of being the winner because the national episcopal conference (conférence épiscopale nationale du Congo-Cenco) claimed so.

The candidates can still file a complaint against the result to the constitutional council. The council will then review the complaint within ten days before the constitutional court validates the results (or reject it).

Let’s note that in case the constitutional court validates the current result, Felix Tshisekedi will replace Joseph Kabila who has been the president of the country for seventeen years now.