DRC Court Confirms Tshisekedi Winner Of Disputed Presidential Election
Fakhir Rizvi Published January 20, 2019 | 11:24 AM
Kinshasa, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Jan, 2019 ) :DR Congo's top court on Sunday declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the winner of disputed presidential elections after throwing out a legal challenge by the runner-up.
Announcing the final results of the much-delayed poll, the Constitutional Court said Tshisekedi had won by a simple majority, paving the way for him to take over from longterm leader Joseph Kabila.
Runner-up Martin Fayulu, who has previously described the outcome as an "electoral coup" forged by Tshisekedi and Kabila, immediately 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's victory was provisionally announced earlier this month 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.
On Sunday, the Constitutional Court said Fayulu's claims were "unfounded" and he had failed to prove any inaccuracies in the figures, describing his call for a recount as "absurd".
"Only the CENI has produced authentic and sincere results," judge Noel Kilomba said.
The head of the court, Benedict Lwamba Bindu, went on to declare Tshisekedi as the "President of the Democratic Republic of Congo by simple majority".
The ruling was considered unsurprising, with the court made up of Kabila's allies.
Hundreds of supporters of Tshisekedi had gathered outside the court holding placards saying"No to interference" and "Independent country" as riot police stood nearby.
The CENI has previously scheduled the swearing-in of the next president for Tuesday.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From World
-
Togo lawmakers approve contested political reform
27 minutes ago -
NATO must choose 'whether we indeed are allies': Zelensky
27 minutes ago -
US House to vote on Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan aid package
27 minutes ago -
Calls for calm after reported Israeli strike on Iran
57 minutes ago -
IMF calls on EU to deepen single market integration to boost growth
57 minutes ago -
Second Ecuadoran mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
58 minutes ago
-
Oil, gas drilling blocked in Alaska wilds as Biden seeks green cred
2 hours ago -
Man sets self on fire outside Trump trial
2 hours ago -
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
3 hours ago -
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
3 hours ago -
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
3 hours ago -
Ecuador mayor killed ahead of anti-crime referendum: police
4 hours ago