The constitutional court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed Felix Tshisekedi’s presidential election win, dismissing a challenge from another opposition leader who had accused him and the ruling party of stitching up the result.
Second-placed Martin Fayulu rejected the provisional tally for DRC’s election released last week, saying it was the product of a secret deal between Tshisekedi and outgoing President Joseph Kabila to cheat him out of a clear win of more than 60%.
Kabila and Tshisekedi’s camps denied making any deal.
But Fayulu has urged the Congolese people to not recognise anyone who “illegitimately claims” to be president.
“The constitutional court has just confirmed that it serves a dictatorial regime ... by validating false results, [and enabling] a constitutional coup d’etat,” he said in a statement.
Fayulu has called on the international community to reject the results.
“I ask the entire international community not to recognise a power that has neither legitimacy nor legal standing to represent the Congolese people,” he said of Tshisekedi, declaring himself “the only legitimate president”.
Tshisekedi said early Sunday that the court’s decision confirming him as the winner of the presidential election was a victory for the entire country.
“It is Congo that won,” he said, speaking to his supporters. “It is not the victory of one camp against another. I am engaged in a campaign to reconcile all Congolese ... The Congo that we are going to form will not be a Congo of division, hatred or tribalism. It will be a reconciled Congo, a strong Congo that will be focused on development, peace and security.”
Tshisekedi’s victory was first announced earlier this month based on provisional results by the Independent National Election Commission (CENI) but it was challenged both at home and abroad, with the African Union appealing for the final results to be delayed.
The poll was meant to enable DRC’s first democratic transfer of power in 59 years of independence from Belgium.
Government spokesman Lambert Mende said by telephone that the ruling party had “taken note” of the court decision.
“Felix Tshisekedi will become the fifth president of the republic,” Mende said.
DRC’s constitutional court is widely seen as beholden to Kabila, who has been in power since his father was assassinated in 2001. It may also worsen the sporadic unrest that has already seen 34 people killed, 59 wounded and 241 “arbitrary arrests” in the past week, according to the UN human rights office.
People inside DRC say internet service has returned, 20 days after it was cut off following the elections. Internet service in the country had been blocked since 31 December in a likely attempt to dampen speculation about the presidential election results.
Reuters, Agence France Press and Associated Press