DRC: Political gatherings, unrest possible nationwide through late January amid presidential inauguration /update 4

Political gatherings and episodes of unrest remain possible nationwide through late January amid the presidential inauguration of Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi, planned to occur at the Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa Jan. 20. The exact time for the ceremony has yet to be announced. The Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) declared Incumbent President Felix Tshisekedi the winner of the presidential election with 73,34 percent of the votes. The general election held on Dec. 20 allowed voters to elect the country's president, national, provincial, and other local representatives in a single round.

Increased security will likely persist in the coming days in main urban centers such as Goma, Kinshasa, and Lubumbashi, particularly in the capital during the inauguration near the Martyr Stadium on Jan. 20. Security measures such as roadblocks and identity checks, as well as large crowds, will likely cause traffic and business disruptions. Traffic to and from N’djili International Airport (FIH) may also be obstructed as visiting dignitaries arrive and later depart. Protests denouncing Tshisekedi’s victory remain possible. Security forces will likely forcibly disperse such gatherings. Significant incidents of violence, clashes with security forces, opposing rival activists, and other forms of politically-related violence may occur.