Congo opposition leader declared winner in long-delayed election

[TomSea]

Congo opposition leader declared winner in long-delayed election

Updated on: January 9, 2019 / 11:54 PM / CBS/AP

Kinshasa, Congo -- Congo opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi has been declared the winner of the long-delayed presidential election, the electoral commission announced early Thursday to the surprise of many, as the vast country braced for possible protests over alleged rigging. If confirmed, Tshisekedi will be the first opposition challenger to win since the Democratic Republic of Congo gained independence in 1960, BBC News reports.

Tshisekedi, who received more than 7 million votes, or 38 percent, had not been widely considered the leading candidate and is relatively untested. The son of late opposition leader Etienne, who pursued the presidency for many years, he startled Congolese shortly before the election by breaking away from an opposition effort to unite behind a single candidate.

Some observers have suggested that President Joseph Kabila's government sought to make a deal as hopes faded for a win for ruling party candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, who received more than 4 million votes, or 23 percent.

Read more at: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/felix-tshisekedi-congro-election-winner-opposition-winner-kinshasa/