2022-10-31

KINSHASA - Kris Berwouts, with the support of the Pascal Decroos Fund, investigates the curious circumstances in which the change of power between Joseph Kabila and Felix Tshisekedi took place, not only between the elections of 30 December 2018 and Tshisekedi's inauguration on 24 January 2019, but also afterwards.

After the 2018 elections, Congo was once again Absurdistan for a while. Leaked voting computer results and independent observers' conclusions pointed to Martin Fayulu as the winner with an overwhelming lead. But outgoing president Kabila struck a deal with opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi and offered him the presidency. In exchange, he himself retained control of political institutions, the security apparatus and the economy. Thanks to his grip on the electoral commission and the constitutional court, he succeeded. Kris Berwouts examines what happened between the elections and Tshisekedi's inauguration, and also how Congolese 'democracy' fared further.

Team members

Kris Berwouts

Kris Berwouts is a Belgian independent expert on Central Africa. 

need resources for your own investigative story?

Journalismfund Europe's flexible grants programmes enable journalists to produce relevant public interest stories with a European mind-set from international, national, and regional perspectives.

Apply

support independent cross-border investigative journalism

We rely on your support to continue the work that we do. Make a gift of any amount today.

Donate