The Democratic Republic of Congo has rejected a demand on Friday, of the African Union who suggested Congo to delay announcing its presidential election’s final results, making worse the confusion surrounding a vote that could lead to widespread agitation.
The African Union (AU) on Thursday, in a surprise announcement, called for the results to be postponed due of some “serious doubts” over the polling and conduct of the presidential election, which was supposed to mark the first democratic power-handover in 59 years of Congo’s independence, but which the runner-up alleged rigged.
The final tally is expected to be decided on appeals as well as of opposition leader and also runner-up candidate Martin Fayulu on Friday or Saturday.
According to Reuters news reports, Congo government spokesperson Lambert Mende said, “I do not think anyone has the right to tell the court what to do. I am not under the impression (the AU) fully understands Congo’s judicial process.”
He said, “No country in the world can accept that its judicial process be controlled by an (outside) organization.”
The AU has said it would be sending delegations to Congo to find “a way out of the post-electoral crisis”. The discussion, expected to take place on Monday, in Kinshasa, will be attended by Rwandan President and AU chair Paul Kagame, Moussa Faki, chairman of the AU Commission, and other heads of state.
Mende said the AU delegation was greatly welcome, but the post-election process would remain unchanged.
Provisional results were announced last week that has shown a shocking victory for the opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi, but Fayulu urged fore recounting of the votes as he claimed that he holds over 60 percent of the vote and that Tshisekedi has been announced victory after he strikes a deal with outgoing president Joseph Kabila.
However, Kabila and Tshisekedi, and their supporters denied such accusations of striking a backroom deal and of fraud.
Fayulu on Friday, welcomed the AU statement, calling his supporters to remain calm. He said, “I ask you to not give in to provocation, to avoid anything that could divide us or break down national cohesion,” adding, “Nobody can deny the people their victory.”