(Bloomberg) -- Allies of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s former head of state claimed a resounding victory in gubernatorial elections, cementing their grip on the country’s institutions several months after losing the presidency.

Joseph Kabila’s Common Front for the Congo, known as the FCC, triumphed in 16 of 24 provinces where governorships were up for grabs on Wednesday, according to provisional results published by the electoral commission. President Felix Tshisekedi’s party was successful in a single province, while one went to an opposition faction.

Tshisekedi, the country’s former opposition leader, won a presidential election in late December, while supporters of his rival and predecessor Kabila secured large majorities in the country’s national and provincial parliaments. The two men’s alliances have agreed to govern Congo together in coalition.

Polls were postponed in two regions and four others will require a second round after no single contestant obtained a plurality of votes from the provincial parliamentarians who elect governors.

The FCC congratulated its representatives for showing “discipline and commitment for the cause defended” by Kabila in a statement published Wednesday night.

The ex-president stood down on Jan. 24 after 18 years in power after his preferred successor finished third in the presidential election. While Tshisekedi occupies the presidency, Kabila’s FCC dominates the upper and lower chambers of parliament – as well as the provincial assemblies and governorships. 

Congo’s constitution obliges the president to nominate a prime minister from the ranks of the parliamentary majority, and on March 7 the FCC and Tshisekedi’s alliance, known as CACH, agreed to “facilitate the quick establishment of a functioning government reflecting the will of the people”. Negotiations are still ongoing.

It’s an uneasy partnership. Tshisekedi drew the FCC’s ire when he told an audience in Washington last week he wished “untangle the dictatorial system in place”. Kabila’s supporters condemned his “militant remarks” on April 8, while reaffirming its commitment to the uneasy FCC-CACH coalition.

The FCC’s statement called on its newly elected governors to work “in perfect harmony” with Tshisekedi and the central government once it is appointed. 

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