Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn in as the president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, succeeding Joseph Kabila in the vast central African country's first transfer of power through an election in 59 years of independence.

In his speech before a cheering crowd of supporters on Thursday, Tshisekedi said that the country will not be one of "division, hate or tribalism".

"We want to build a strong Congo in its cultural diversity. We will promote its development in peace and security. A Congo for each and everyone, where everybody has his or her own place," he said.

Tshisekedi's speech, however, was momentarily disrupted when he "collapsed on the podium", according to Al Jazeera's Fahmida Miller, who was at the inauguration in the capital Kinshasa.

Tshisekedi was able to resume after a few minutes.

Tshisekedi's victory in the December 30 election was marred by accusations he struck a backroom deal with the outgoing president to deny victory to the strong opposition candidate, Martin Fayulu.

Kabila and Tshisekedi's camps reject those allegations.

As Kabila looked on, Tshiskedi, in his speech, praised Fayulu, an outspoken critic of Kabila, describing him as a "soldier of the people," and thanked the third-placed candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, who was Kabila's preferred candidate.

Thousands of Tshisekedi supporters, many of them dressed in white, gathered outside the Palace of the Nation, the seat of the presidency in Kinshasa, to celebrate the grand event.

"We hope that this will be a real change, especially as he has taken power without bloodshed," said Saddam Kongolo, a member of Tshisekedi's Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS).

One of Tshisekedi's first tasks will be to appoint a prime minister in a move which will see him sharing power with Kabila's supporters, who hold an overwhelming majority in the parliament.

Al Jazeera's Miller said that Tshisekedi now faces the challenge of uniting the country after a divisive election.

Tshisekedi needs to "speak to people who support Martin Fayulu, who said that the elections were rigged", she said.

The ceremony caps more than two years of turmoil sparked by Kabila's refusal to step down when he reached the constitutional limit on his term in office.

Turbulence

A country the size of continental western Europe, DR Congo has lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003.

The last two presidential elections, in 2006 and 2011 - both won by Kabila, were marred by bloody clashes.

The ballot, which took place after three postponements, surprised many by the lack of violence, but a political storm swiftly brewed over the vote count.

Among foreign nations attending the ceremony, Kenya and Zambia were represented by their presidents and Tanzania by its vice presidents, according to the RTNC state television, while China, France, Japan and the United States sent their ambassadors, the journalists of AFP news agency saw.

"The opposition has run out of recourse to challenge the election results and the threat of widespread post-election violence is gradually subsiding," said Robert Besseling of EXX Africa, a business risk consultancy.

Tshisekedi took over the UDPS, DRC's oldest and largest opposition party, after the death of its founder, his father Etienne, about two years ago.

In his speech, Tshisekedi paid tribute to his father, referring to him as "president" - a nod to the late leader's declaration of himself as president after losing the disputed 2011 election to Kabila.

Conflict and poverty

Beyond the challenge of uniting a fractured country, Tshisekedi also has to deal with the brutal militias who control parts of the country's strife-torn east where an Ebola epidemic is also unfolding.

He also has to meet the expectations of his supporters about easing poverty, which afflicts the vast majority of the country's 80 million citizens.

Despite poverty, DRC boasts a treasure trove of minerals, ranging from gold and diamonds to copper and coltan - a mineral essential for the batteries used in hand-held electronic devices.

Yet, in a country where corruption is entrenched, very little of the wealth trickles down to the poor. It ranks a mere 176th on the 189-nation Human Development Index compiled by the United Nations' Development Programme (UNDP).

On Thursday, Congolese largely appeared relieved to witness a peaceful change of power in a country with a history of violent overthrows.

DR Congo's first leader, Patrice Lumumba, was removed in a military coup and assassinated in 1961.

Mobutu Sese Seko ruled for more than three decades but was overthrown in 1997 by rebel leader Laurent Kabila, who was assassinated in 2001. Kabila's son, Joseph, took over at the age of 29.</s>Félix Tshisekedi, pictured earlier this month, leads DR Congo's largest opposition party which was founded by his late father in 1982

The new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has been sworn into office.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta was the only African head of state, out of 17 invited, to watch the ceremony at the presidential palace in Kinshasa.

President Tshisekedi is taking over from Joseph Kabila in the first peaceful transfer of power in the country in nearly 60 years.

But many still dispute his victory in last month's presidential election.

Numerous sources say his opponent Martin Faylulu won a landslide victory and has been denied office by a backroom deal between Mr Kabila and Mr Tshisekedi.

The influential Catholic Church, which deployed election observers on voting day, said the official data did not match its own numbers.

Mr Fayulu's appeal to the Constitutional Court for a vote re-count was rejected, and critics say the body is too close to outgoing President Kabila and lacks independence.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday, Mr Kabila said he had no regrets and called on Congolese citizens to support his successor, who he said could call on him for advice at any time.

Yet many people there believe the handover demonstrates that DR Congo is becoming more democratic, the BBC's Gaïus Kowene in Kinshasa reports.

Félix Tshisekedi's father Etienne - featured in the mural - was a veteran opposition politician

The new president is mostly known for being the son of the late veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who was regarded as one of DR Congo's most important pro-democracy advocates.

The UDPS party President Tshisekedi leads was founded in 1982 by his father, who turned it into the largest opposition party. But President Tshisekedi, 55, insists he is not trying to rival his father.

Félix Tshisekedi comes to the presidency with little weight of expectation from beyond his own support base.

What was supposed to be the first democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960 looks tainted with strong suspicions that the outgoing president, Joseph Kabila, intends to exert control from behind the scenes.

Mr Tshisekedi's challenges are immense. His Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party did poorly in the elections, so he lacks the firm parliamentary base which might give him the means to assert his independence as president.

The senior echelons of the army and police are all appointees of the old regime. Removing them would be a significant sign that the new president means to be independent.

But would he risk challenging Joseph Kabila? It is highly unlikely. Félix Tshisekedi may find he has been handed the responsibility of the presidency but with little of the power.</s>The new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has been sworn into office.

He told supporters at a ceremony at the presidential palace in Kinshasa he wanted to build a “reconciled Congo”.

Mr Tshisekedi was briefly taken ill before resuming his speech.

He is taking over from Joseph Kabila in the first peaceful transfer of power in the country in nearly 60 years, though many still dispute his victory in last month’s presidential election.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta was the only African head of state, out of 17 invited, to watch the ceremony.

Numerous sources say his opponent Martin Fayulu won a landslide victory and has been denied office by a backroom deal between Mr Kabila and Mr Tshisekedi.

The influential Catholic Church, which deployed election observers on voting day, said the official data did not match its own numbers.
• How does Tshisekedi’s poll victory add up?

Mr Fayulu’s appeal to the Constitutional Court for a vote re-count was rejected, and critics say the body is too close to outgoing President Kabila and lacks independence.

Mr Tshisekedi had to cut short his inaugural address on Thursday after feeling faint. But he returned to the podium, saying he was exhausted from the long presidential campaign and the emotion of the day.

“We want to build a strong Congo, turned toward development in peace and security – a Congo for all in which everyone has a place,” he told the crowd.

Many people there believe the handover does show the DR Congo is becoming more democratic, the BBC’s Gaïus Kowene in Kinshasa reports.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday, Mr Kabila called on Congolese citizens to support his successor, who he said could call on him for advice at any time.

The new president is mostly known for being the son of the late veteran opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who was regarded as one of DR Congo’s most important pro-democracy advocates.

The Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party President Tshisekedi leads was founded in 1982 by his father, who turned it into the largest opposition party.

But President Tshisekedi, 55, insists he is not trying to rival his father. BBC News</s>Congo's new President Felix Tshisekedi sworn into office; country's first peaceful transfer of power since independence.</s>Congo's new President Felix Tshisekedi sworn into office; country's first peaceful transfer of power since independence

KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo's new President Felix Tshisekedi sworn into office; country's first peaceful transfer of power since independence.</s>By BBC

 The new president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has been sworn into office.

 He told supporters at a ceremony at the presidential palace in Kinshasa he wanted to build a “reconciled Congo”.

 Mr Tshisekedi was briefly taken ill before resuming his speech.

He is taking over from Joseph Kabila in the first peaceful transfer of power in the country in nearly 60 years, though many still dispute his victory in last month’s presidential election.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta was the only African head of state, out of 17 invited, to watch the ceremony.

 Numerous sources say his opponent Martin Fayulu won a landslide victory and has been denied office by a backroom deal between Mr Kabila and Mr Tshisekedi.

 The influential Catholic Church, which deployed election observers on voting day, said the official data did not match its own numbers.

Mr Fayulu’s appeal to the Constitutional Court for a vote re-count was rejected, and critics say the body is too close to outgoing President Kabila and lacks independence.

Mr Tshisekedi had to cut short his inaugural address on Thursday after feeling faint. But he returned to the podium, saying he was exhausted from the long presidential campaign and the emotion of the day.

 “We want to build a strong Congo, turned toward development in peace and security – a Congo for all in which everyone has a place,” he told the crowd.

Many people there believe the handover does show the DR Congo is becoming more democratic, the BBC’s Gaïus Kowene in Kinshasa reports.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday, Mr Kabila called on Congolese citizens to support his successor, who he said could call on him for advice at any time.</s>Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn in as Democratic Republic of Congo's president, succeeding Joseph Kabila.

It is the vast central African country's first transfer of power through an election in 59 years of independence.

Tshisekedi was taken ill during his inaugural address on Thursday but returned to the stage after a brief pause, saying he was exhausted by the election and the emotion of the moment.

His spokesman later told Reuters that his bulletproof vest had been too tight and he had since removed it.

Tshisekedi's victory in the December 30 election was marred by accusations he struck a backroom deal with the outgoing president to deny victory to another opposition candidate.

Tshisekedi, wearing a blue suit and dark glasses, took the oath of office before a crowd of thousands of cheering supporters, government officials and foreign ambassadors.

However, in a sign of lingering doubts about the vote's credibility, Kenya's Uhuru Kenyatta was the only foreign head of state present.

In his inaugural address, Tshisekedi called for "a reconciled Congo" following the contentious election that saw him narrowly defeat another opposition leader, Martin Fayulu, and Kabila's hand-picked successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary.

"We want to build a strong Congo, turned toward its development in peace and security," he said.

"A Congo for all, in which everyone has a place."

Fayulu said he won the election by a landslide, a claim backed by Congo's Catholic Church, which deployed 40,000 observers to the polls.

However, many African and Western countries, wary that a dispute could reignite unrest in the volatile central African country, decided to recognise Tshisekedi after Congo's highest court dismissed Fayulu's fraud complaints.</s>Félix Tshisekedi on Thursday became the first opposition leader to be sworn in as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite credible evidence of election fraud and questions over how much sway the country’s departing president, Joseph Kabila, will still wield.

The inauguration of Mr. Tshisekedi, best known for being the son of Mr. Kabila’s most formidable rival, marks the first handover of power in the former Belgian colony that hasn’t involved the former leader being assassinated or chased out of the country.</s>Felix Tshisekedi Is Sworn In As Congo's President

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has sworn in Felix Tshisekedi as its first new president in 18 years, despite questions about the credibility of his election victory.

In his inaugural address Thursday, Tshisekedi called for a peaceful, reconciled Congo and vowed to release all political prisoners. His conciliatory appeal also included promises to tackle corruption in the mineral-rich, central African nation.

The country's first peaceful democratic transfer of power since independence nearly six decades ago took place at the People's Palace in the capital, Kinshasa.

At one point during his speech, Tshisekedi said he felt ill and TV images briefly cut away from him, NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports from Johannesburg. Witnesses say he sat down while assistants brought him water. Upon returning to the stage to continue his address, he told the crowd that he was exhausted.

The U.S. State Department voiced its support for Tshisekedi's government on the eve of the election, despite an earlier statement deploring a lack of transparency in the vote.

"We encourage the government to include a broad representation of Congo's political stakeholders and to address reports of electoral irregularities," a spokesperson for the State Department wrote Wednesday.

Tshisekedi, an opposition leader, defeated another opposition front-runner, Martin Fayulu, in the Dec. 30 election.

But Fayulu contested the results, claiming that outgoing President Joseph Kabila had struck a backroom deal with Tshisekedi once it became clear that the governing coalition's candidate was unlikely to win. Last week, the African Union demanded a suspension of the final results, citing "serious doubts" and calling the situation a "post-electoral crisis."

Congo's top court nonetheless confirmed Tshisekedi's victory on Friday, saying he had defeated Fayulu 38 percent to 34 percent.

Rejecting the Constitutional Court's decision, Fayulu declared himself the country's only legitimate president on Saturday and urged nationwide protests.

In the past several weeks, at least 12 people have died during clashes between security forces and supporters of Fayulu and those of Tshisekedi, The Wall Street Journal reports. Concerned that a protracted post-election dispute might further destabilize Congo, African nations and Western powers seem to have adopted a pragmatic approach in their acceptance of Tshisekedi's government, Quist-Arcton reports.

Candidates criticized last month's election, which had been delayed since 2016, over the use of controversial new voting machines and the fact that the electoral commission decided to bar around a million voters from participating over concerns about Ebola outbreak in the eastern part of the country.

Congo's influential Catholic Church also rejected the victory, citing its own tally showing that Fayulu won a majority of the votes, Quist-Arcton reports. The church had deployed 40,000 observers for the December vote.

Kabila had served as president of the vast African country since his father was assassinated in 2001. The term-limited president agreed to elections in 2016, but spent two years postponing the election and ordered crackdowns following a series of protests.

On Wednesday, Kabila said he had no regrets about relinquishing power to Tshisekedi.</s>KINSHASA. – Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn in as the president of the , succeeding in the vast central African country’s first transfer of power through an election in 59 years of independence.

In his speech before a cheering crowd of supporters on Thursday, President Tshisekedi said that the country will not be one of “division, hate or tribalism”.

“We want to build a strong Congo in its cultural diversity. We will promote its development in peace and security. A Congo for each and every one, where everybody has his or her own place,” he said.

President Tshisekedi’s speech, however, was momentarily disrupted when he “collapsed on the podium”, according to Al Jazeera’s Fahmida Miller, who was at the inauguration in the capital Kinshasa.

However, President Tshisekedi was able to resume after a few minutes.

President Tshisekedi’s victory in the December 30 election was marred by accusations he struck a backroom deal with the outgoing president to deny victory to the strong opposition candidate, Martin Fayulu.

Thousands of President Tshisekedi supporters, many of them dressed in white, gathered outside the Palace of the Nation, the seat of the presidency in Kinshasa, to celebrate the grand event.

“We hope that this will be a real change, especially as he has taken power without bloodshed,” said Saddam Kongolo, a member of President Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS).

One of President Tshisekedi’s first tasks will be to appoint a prime minister in a move which will see him sharing power with Kabila’s supporters, who hold an overwhelming majority in the parliament.

Al Jazeera’s Miller said that Tshisekedi now faces the challenge of uniting the country after a divisive election.

President Tshisekedi needs to “speak to people who support Martin Fayulu, who said that the elections were rigged”, she said.

A country the size of continental western Europe, DR Congo has lived through two regional wars in 1996-97 and 1998-2003.

The last two presidential elections, in 2006 and 2011 – both won by Kabila, were marred by bloody clashes.

The ballot, which took place after three postponements, surprised many by the lack of violence, but a political storm swiftly brewed over the vote count.

Among foreign nations attending the ceremony, Kenya and Zambia were represented by their presidents and Tanzania by its vice presidents, according to the RTNC state television, while China, France, Japan and the United States sent their ambassadors, the journalists of AFP news agency saw.

“The opposition has run out of recourse to challenge the election results and the threat of widespread post-election violence is gradually subsiding,” said Robert Besseling of EXX Africa, a business risk consultancy.

President Tshisekedi took over the UDPS, DRC’s oldest and largest opposition party, after the death of its founder, his father Etienne, about two years ago.

In his speech, he paid tribute to his father, referring to him as “president” – a nod to the late leader’s declaration of himself as president after losing the disputed 2011 election to Kabila.

Beyond the challenge of uniting a fractured country, President Tshisekedi also has to deal with the brutal militias who control parts of the country’s strife-torn east where an epidemic is also unfolding.

He also has to meet the expectations of his supporters about easing poverty, which afflicts the vast majority of the country’s 80 million citizens.

The DRC boasts a treasure trove of minerals, ranging from gold and diamonds to copper and coltan – a mineral essential for the batteries used in hand-held electronic devices. – Al Jazeera/News agencies
Félix Tshisekedi is sworn in as the 5th President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, marking the first transition of power by an election in the country since it gained independence in 1960.