Legislative win strengthens Congo president’s hand

Significance

Tshisekedi’s own Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) becomes parliament’s largest party with 69 seats, while main opposition contender Moise Katumbi’s Ensemble party gained only 18 seats, meaning opposition parties will have little influence in parliament.

Impacts

• The USN will also dominate politics at the provincial and municipal levels.
• The opposition will struggle to carve out a meaningful role in domestic politics.
• New business and investment activity will largely stall while investors wait to see who their new interlocutors will be.