DRC: Presidential inauguration postponed amid political tensions /update 18

Presidential inauguration, originally planned for January 22, postponed amid ongoing election controversy; police disperse gathering in Kinshasa by supporters of presidential runner-up January 21
Read all related news alert(s):
DRC: Opposition coalition plans rally in Kinshasa February 2 /update 20
DRC: Presidential inauguration January 24 /update 19
DRC: Internet services resuming after Jan. 19 election announcement /update 17
DRC: Constitutional Court confirms Tshisekedi’s presidential win Jan. 19 /update 16
DRC: High tensions ahead of the release of the final election results /update 15
DRC: Tensions persisting following provisional election results /update 14
DRC: Unrests following election results January 10 /update 13
DRC: Opposition presidential candidate declared winner Jan. 10 /update 12
DRC: US urges citizens to evacuate ahead of election announcement Jan. 9 /update 11
DRC: Publication of presidential election results delayed January 5 /update 10
DRC: Post-election internet shutdown continues January 1 /update 9
DRC: Voting disruptions, irregularities reported in general elections Dec. 30 /update 8
DRC: Ongoing protests in Goma December 28 /update 7
DRC: Opposition party calls for nationwide strike December 28 /update 6
DRC: Ongoing protest in Beni December 27 /update 5
DRC: Elections delayed in three cities until next March /update 4
DRC: Political rallies expected in lead-up to December 30 elections /update 3
DRC: General elections delayed to December 30 /update 2
DRC: Campaigning halted in Kinshasa December 19 /update 1
DRC: Opposition march and meeting in Kinshasa December 19
Event
On Monday, January 21, it was announced that the inauguration ceremony for president-elect Félix Tshisekedi, originally planned for Tuesday, January 22, will be postponed amid ongoing political tensions in the country. According to a government spokesperson, the ceremony will now likely take place on Thursday, January 24. The announcement comes as presidential runner-up Martin Fayulu continues to dispute a Constitutional Court ruling announced overnight on January 19-20, which rejected Fayulu's appeal for a recount and confirmed Tshisekedi's election win. Fayulu claims he won the election with 60 percent of the vote based on leaked results, and has called for his supporters to stage peaceful demonstrations against a "constitutional coup d'état." On Monday, January 21, police dispersed a gathering by hundreds of Fayulu supporters in central Kinshasa after brief clashes broke out between rival Fayulu and Tshisekedi supporters, during which at least one person was reportedly seriously injured.
An increased security deployment is to be expected in the near-term in urban centers nationwide in anticipation of possible unrest. Police forces in Kinshasa had previously announced they would stage daily and nightly patrols in some neighborhoods of the capital where increased political tensions, including death threats to Tshisekedi supporters, have been reported. Many governments have advised their nationals to postpone any travel to the DRC at least until the end of January.
Context
DRC held long-awaited general elections on December 30, 2018, to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila, who was ineligible to run for another term. There were numerous allegations of electoral fraud and voter intimidation and several people were killed in election-related violence. Opposition candidate Tshisekedi was declared winner of the presidential elections with 38.57 percent of the vote, followed by runner-up Fayulu with 34.83 percent. Meanwhile, internet services - blocked since December 31 - have been gradually returning to normal since late January 19.
Advice
Individuals in the DRC are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of violence and arrest, refrain from discussing political topics in public, and adhere to all instructions issued by their home government and local authorities.
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