Tshisekedi sworn in as president of DR Congo

The new President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has been appointed.

Kenya's president, Uhuru Kenyatta, was the only African head of state on the 17 guests to attend the ceremony at the Kinshasa presidential palace.

President Tshisekedi succeeds Joseph Kabila for the first peaceful transfer of power in the country for nearly 60 years.

But many still contest his victory in the presidential election last month.

Numerous sources claim that his opponent Martin Faylulu won a landslide victory and was denied a post by a contract between Mr. Kabila and Mr. Tshisekedi.

The influence of the Catholic Church, which deployed observers in the elections, said the official data did not correspond to its own figures.

Fayulu's appeal to the Constitutional Court for a recount of the vote was rejected, and critics say that this body is too close to incumbent President Kabila and lacks independence.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday, Kabila said he regretted nothing and called on Congolese citizens to support his successor, who he said could ask him for advice at any time.

Yet, many believe that the handover shows that the DRC is becoming more democratic, reports Gaïus Kowene in Kinshasa of the BBC.

Etienne, Félix Tshisekedi's father – figured on the mural – was a politician of the opposition

The new president is best known for being the son of the late leader of the opposition, Etienne Tshisekedi, considered one of the most prominent advocates of democracy in the DRC.

The chairman of the UDPS party, Tshisekedi, was founded in 1982 by his father, who made it the largest party of the opposition. But President Tshisekedi, 55, says he's not trying to compete with his father.

A presidency without power?

Analysis – Fergal Keane, publisher of BBC Africa

Felix Tshisekedi arrives at the presidency with few expectations coming from outside his own support base.

What was supposed to be the first democratic transfer of power since independence in 1960 seems to be tainted with deep suspicions about the outgoing President Joseph Kabila's willingness to exercise control of the rear. scene.

Mr. Tshisekedi's challenges are immense. His party, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), had disappointing results in the elections. He therefore does not have the solid parliamentary base that could give him the means to badert his independence as president.

The upper echelons of the army and the police are all appointed by the old regime. Removing them would be a significant sign that the new president wants to be independent.

But would he risk defying Joseph Kabila? This is highly unlikely. Felix Tshisekedi may find that he has been given the responsibility of the presidency, but with little power.