(24 Jan 2019) Congo's presidential election runner-up Martin Fayulu attended church on January 13th 2019, a day after he asked the constitutional court for a recount of votes in the disputed December 30th election.
The declared winner, opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, was expected to attend January 13th's service but was not present.
Fayulu has accused Tshisekedi of a backroom deal with current President Joseph Kabila to win power in the mineral-rich nation.
Rifle-carrying members of Kabila's Republican Guard were deployed outside Fayulu's home and the court earlier Saturday, which he called an act of "desperation".
***
Felix Tshisekedi was sworn in as Congo's president on January 24th, marking the country's first peaceful transfer of power since independence from Belgium nearly 60 years ago, and immediately pledged tolerance and announced the imminent release of all political prisoners.
The 55-year-old takes over from Joseph Kabila, who led the vast Central African country since 2001.
Kabila quietly watched from behind mirrored sunglasses the extraordinary scene of an opposition leader becoming president.
When Kabila left the dais, some in the crowd booed.
Tshisekedi called national reconciliation "one of our priorities" as questions remained about the disputed December 30th election.
Congolese largely appeared relieved to witness a peaceful change of power in a country with a history of violent overthrows.
Tshisekedi has inherited much goodwill with the legacy of his own father, the late opposition icon Etienne, who pursued the presidency for decades.
00:36:09
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
