By CHIMPREPORTS
The United States has cautioned presidential candidates who lost the December 20 elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo against engaging in acts of violence.
The U.S. said it had taken note of the provisional election results published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) of the DRC on December 31, 2023, which shows that President Félix Tshisekedi leads with a large majority.
“We are aware that several candidates refuse to accept these provisional results,” said the U.S. Mission in DRC, in reference to Martin Fayulu and Moise Katumbi who have threatened protests over the election outcome.
“However, we reaffirm that the only means to challenge the results and demand accountability must be through the legal system and peaceful civic engagement,” said the U.S., adding, “Resorting to violent confrontation will not resolve grievances or advance democracy in the DRC.”
DRC’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) on December 31 published the provisional results of the presidential election of 20 December 2023, showing Tshisekedi had won the race with 73% of the total votes counted.
Moise Katumbi came second with 3.2 million votes representing 18% while Martin Fayulu was third with 960,478 votes (5.3%). Other candidates got less than 800,00 votes each.
CENI said the declarations were based on results from 64,196 Polling and Counting Stations out of the 75,478.
However, the opposition said the electoral process was marred by irregularities and delayed deployment of voting materials.
CENI said it had extended the voting period in affected areas by 24 hours to allow registered voters to cast their ballots.
Protests
Fayulu has urged his supporters to take to the streets to protest the election outcome.
“I categorically reject the sham elections and the farcical results of CENI,” said Fayulu.
“I ask the Congolese people to protest against this new coup d’état in accordance with article 64 of our Constitution,” he added.
Katumbi said, “After the sham elections organised by the CENI, the Congolese people decided – as the Constitution gives them the right to do – to take charge and march peacefully to demand a real election. The population’s only response was shooting and indiscriminate violence from the police.”
The wealthy businessman emphasised: “A point of no-return has just been crossed. This first march will be followed by other actions throughout the country. Cheating, fraud and lying will not pass.”
Legal means
Several African leaders have welcomed the results and encouraged losers to seek redress lawfully.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa strongly commended the people of the DRC for exhibiting maturity, a sense of calm and unity during the period of elections, saying the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo had taken a solid step towards consolidating democracy in their country, and have expressed their desire for a peaceful, secure and prosperous future.
Ramaphosa also called for “calm should any of the participants dispute the election results” and urged “all parties to follow legal channels as set out in the constitution of the DRC.”
The deadline for examining the litigation of the presidential election is seven days from the date of referral to the Constitutional Court (Article 74 of the Electoral Act).
The U.S. urged Congolese authorities to “fairly and transparently investigate all concerns raised regarding non-compliance with electoral code procedures and allegations of fraud and violence. We also call on relevant authorities to vigorously defend freedoms of expression, movement and peaceful assembly as the electoral process enters its final phase.”
Pre-election polls showed that Tshisekedi would win the election due to ongoing implementation of universal free education.
The opposition remained divided and were unable to align in time for the polls.
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