Two African presidents have congratulated Democratic Republic of Congo opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi for winning last month’s presidential poll, despite the African Union saying it had “serious doubts” about the result.
The constitutional court ruled that Tshisekedi had won after rejecting a challenge from rival Martin Fayulu who said Tshisekedi made a deal with outgoing President Joseph Kabila but Tshisekedi’s team has denied this.
Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa both sent their congratulations.
Ramaphosa called on all parties “to respect the decision of the constitutional court and commit to continue with a journey of consolidating peace”.
The southern African regional group, SADC, has also welcomed Tshisekedi’s victory saying that all Congolese should support the president-elect in his bid to maintain “unity, peace and stability”.
The African Union, which was supposed to send a delegation to the DR Congo today, has now postponed the trip.
BBC/BEN