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Landslide Win for Tshisekedi in DRC, But Shadows Linger Over Poll
President Félix Tshisekedi was declared the winner of DR Congo’s December 20th election on Sunday, December 31st, amid widespread allegations of irregularities and calls for a rerun from opposition candidates. The result has plunged the country into a tense standoff, with celebrations erupting from Tshisekedi’s supporters while opposition leaders urged mass protests against “electoral fraud.”
Tshisekedi secured a landslide victory, garnering 73% of the vote, while his closest rival, Moise Katumbi, trailed behind with 18%. However, the path to victory was marred by logistical nightmares, with delays, malfunctioning voting machines, and voter disenfranchisement plaguing the process. Independent observers, including the Catholic Church, voiced concerns about the legitimacy of the vote, highlighting late polling station openings and widespread technical issues.
Opposition leaders, including Martin Fayulu who finished third with 5%, have decried the election as a sham and demanded a fresh poll. They called on their supporters to “take to the streets” in peaceful demonstrations against the results. Meanwhile, the army has been deployed in major cities to maintain order, and Tshisekedi’s supporters have taken to the streets in celebratory rallies.
The credibility of the election commission’s declaration has been further challenged by Chief Denis Kadima’s dismissive remarks towards the opposition, accusing them of being “bad losers.” While acknowledging some irregularities, Kadima maintained that the results reflect the will of the Congolese people.
President Tshisekedi, facing accusations of rigging the election, is set to be sworn in for a second term on January 20th. This victory marks a significant turn for the son of veteran opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi, who rose to power in 2019 on a wave of hope after a disputed election that many believe was won by Fayulu.
Uncertainty now hangs heavy over DR Congo. The legal path forward remains unclear, with the Constitutional Court holding the power to hear challenges before announcing the final results on January 10th.
Nigeria Cracks Down on Fake Degrees, Focus Shifts to East Africa
Following an exposé on fraudulent qualifications, Nigeria’s Ministry of Education is expanding its investigation into foreign degree accreditation, casting a wider net to include countries like Kenya and Uganda. This comes after the recent suspension of accreditation for degrees from Benin and Togo.
Education Minister Tahir Mamman stated in a recent interview, “We are determined to tackle the issue of fake foreign degrees head-on. The initial suspension for Benin and Togo was just the beginning.” He further emphasized, “Countries like Uganda, Kenya, and even Niger, where similar concerns have been raised, will now be included in our scrutiny.”
This move stems from a recent investigative report by the Daily Nigerian newspaper, which revealed how a reporter obtained a four-year degree from a Benin university in just two months. Minister Mamman expressed harsh criticism, stating, “Those with fake certificates are not victims, but perpetrators. They are part of a criminal chain that needs to be dismantled.”
To address the issue comprehensively, Nigeria has launched a formal investigation into its own ministries and agencies responsible for accrediting foreign academic qualifications. This internal probe aims to identify any potential loopholes or vulnerabilities that may have allowed fraudulent degrees to slip through the cracks.
“Protecting Nigerian employers and upholding the integrity of our qualifications system is paramount,” declared Minister Mamman. He affirmed, “This expanded investigation and stricter scrutiny of foreign degrees will safeguard both individual opportunities and the overall reputation of Nigerian education.”
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