Africa

Uhuru joins 18 heads of State attending Tshisekedi inauguration in DRC

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrives in DRC for the inauguration ceremony of the president-elect Félix Antoine Tshisekedi. (X/Office of The Fourth President of Kenya)

By Mercy Asamba | Saturday, January 20, 2024

The inauguration ceremony is slated for Saturday at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.

Former president Uhuru Kenyatta will join eighteen heads of state, mainly from Africa, for the inauguration ceremony of the president-elect of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Felix Tshisekedi.

The former President, who was accompanied by Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo, arrived at N'Djili International Airport in the DRC on Friday evening.

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The inauguration ceremony is slated for Saturday at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa.

Uhuru is the facilitator of the East African Community (EAC) - led Nairobi Peace Process. The peace initiative that is aimed at resolving the conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

It was launched in April 2022 and is based on principles of inclusivity, dialogue, ownership, regional leadership, and international support.

Other leaders present

On Thursday, President’s high representative Serge Tshibangu, without mentioning names, said the 18 heads of state, two vice presidents, four former heads of state, and high-level foreign representatives had confirmed their participation in the inauguration. This marks a departure from previous ceremonies that had sparse representation.

US President Joe Biden has also sent his delegation to attend the inauguration of Tshisekedi in Kinshasa.

The delegation will be led by Scott Nathan, Chief Executive Officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation.

In the general elections held in December 2023, Tshisekedi garnered 73.47 per cent of the vote, while the main opposition candidate Moise Katumbi trailed behind with 18.08 per cent, according to the Constitutional Court of the DRC.