Opposition leader wins surprise election in Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo's electoral commission announced Wednesday that opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi has won the presidential election, the AP reports.

Why it matters: There was widespread speculation the election would be rigged in favor of the ruling party's candidate, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary. That clearly hasn't happened, though the opaque election process will likely lead to claims that underhanded dealings have taken place. This would be Congo's first peaceful transfer of power, and follows 17 years under strongman Joseph Kabila.

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