ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission on Thursday stressed the need for all concerned stakeholders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to consolidate democracy and to preserve peace following the release of interim results of the presidential election.
Moussa Faki Mahamat took cognizance of the provisional results of the presidential election in the DRC, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, according to an AU statement.
"The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates his congratulations to the people, political actors, civil society and the relevant national institutions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the conduct of the elections under conditions deemed satisfactory by the AU Election Observation Mission led by President Dioncounda Traore," read the statement.
The AU commission chairperson further "stressed the need for all concerned stakeholders to act in a way that consolidates democracy and preserves peace in the country."
"It is important that any challenge to the provisional results, including claims of inconsistencies with the verdict of the ballot box, be pursued peacefully, through avenues provided by the existing national legal framework, and political dialogue among all stakeholders," the statement quoted Faki as saying.
Opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi was early Thursday morning declared the winner of the DRC presidential election, while disputes over the results emerged.
According to interim results announced by the electoral commission, Tshisekedi, candidate of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), received more than 7 million votes across the country. Polls were not held in three cities for safety reasons.
Tshisekedi ran ahead of Martin Fayulu of the "Lamuka" coalition, and far ahead of Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, candidate for the ruling coalition.
Faki also underlined that "regardless of the final official results of the elections, the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo requires genuine national consensus based on respect for democratic principles and human rights, as well as the preservation and consolidation of peace."
The runner-up Fayulu denounced the results as an "electoral coup," saying they have nothing to do with the truth at the ballot box.
The final results are expected to be proclaimed in the coming days according to a new timetable after confirmation of these provisional results by the Constitutional Court in accordance with the DRC's national law.
