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Congo’s First Peaceful Presidential Swearing-in in Over Five Decades

Former Congolese President, Joseph Kabila presented the Presidential sash to new Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday.
Former Congolese President, Joseph Kabila presented the Presidential sash to new Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday.
Former Congolese President, Joseph Kabila presented the Presidential sash to new Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday.
Former Congolese President, Joseph Kabila presented the Presidential sash to new Congolese President, Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday.

The Democratic Republic of Congo concluded the peaceful swearing-in ceremony of their new President, Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday. This was the country’s first peaceful election since 1960 as former President, Joseph Kabila presented the Presidential sash to his successor

Felix Tshisekedi was sworn-in as the new President for the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday in the capital city of Kinshasa. The succession witnessed former President, Joseph Kabila presenting the Presidential sash to the new Congolese President, making this the first peaceful transfer of power since the country’s independence in 1960.

While addressing the crowd at the Presidential Palace in the capital, the newly elected President asserted, “We want to build a strong Congo, turned toward its development in peace and security. A Congo for all in which everyone has a place.” After taking the Presidential oath in the presence of supporters, government officials and foreign ambassadors, President Felix Tshisekedi called for a “reconciled Congo”. The Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta also attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Thursday’s historic ceremony witnessed supporters of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress Party, dressed in white, cheering on for soldiers marching down in the Presidential Palace lawn. It also saw members and leaders with different political ideologies come together for the swearing-in of the new President.