In a rare move, African Union calls on Congo to delay the release of the final vote due to "doubts" over provisional results.
ADVERTISEMENTThe African Union called on the Democratic Republic of Congo to delay the release of its final election results, citing "serious doubts" over the provisional results.
The final tally was meant to be released by the election commission after the constitutional court had ruled on challenges to the provisional results on Friday. However, the union called for the postponement of the results on Thursday after meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
"The Heads of State and Government attending the meeting concluded that there were serious doubts on the conformity of the provisional results as proclaimed by the National Independent Electoral Commission, with the verdict of the ballot boxes," it said in a statement.
The Congolese foreign ministry had not commented at time of writing.
Martin Fayulu, candidate to the presidency and opposition leader, reiterated his call for a recount in a tweet and thanked the AU for its "ongoing efforts in favour of truth and justice in the DRC".
Fayulu blames Felix Tshisekedi, who is the president of Congo's largest opposition party, of striking a deal with president Joseph Kabila to be named his succesor — accusations both Tshisekedi and Kabila deny.