The Southern African Development Community has congratulated the new Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi upon the election.
The Constitutional Court in Congo declared Tshisekedi the dully elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo to disregard a petition by fellow opposition candidate Martin Fayulu who had disputed the results.
However, in a statement, the regional body congratulated Congo for holding polls in a peaceful manner elections in a peaceful manner “despite security and logistical challenges.”
“SADC congratulates President-Elect of DR Congo, Mr Felix Tshisekedi & calls upon all stakeholders to support the President-elect & his government in maintaining unity, peace & stability; and in attaining socio-economic development in the country,” read their statement.
https://twitter.com/SADC_News/status/1086938795012997121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1086938795012997121&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.africanews.com%2F2019%2F01%2F20%2Fsadc-congratulates-tshisekedi-on-election-victory%2F
The regional body asked Congolese to accept the outcome of the polls, consolidate democracy, maintain peace and work for the development of their country.
“SADC looks forward to a peaceful transfer of power to the President-elect.”
In his congratulatory message, Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli also asked for peace among the Congolese to help foster development.
“I congratulate HE. Felix Tshisekedi on his election as President of the DRC (Congo). While congratulating all the Congolese, I beseech you to maintain peace and affirm my commitment to furthering our historic and brotherly ties,” he wrote on his twitter.
https://twitter.com/MagufuliJP/status/1086942716158713857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1086942716158713857&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.africanews.com%2F2019%2F01%2F20%2Fsadc-congratulates-tshisekedi-on-election-victory%2F
Other presidents including Uhuru Kenyatta from Kenya, Pierre Nkurunziza from Burundi and Cyril Ramaphosa from South Africa also sent congratulatory messages to the new DRC president.
https://twitter.com/pnkurunziza/status/1086898283132395521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1086898283132395521&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.africanews.com%2F2019%2F01%2F20%2Fsadc-congratulates-tshisekedi-on-election-victory%2F
Following the announcement of Tshisekedi as the dully elected president, fellow opposition candidate, Martin Fayulu declared himself as president.
“I now consider myself as the sole legitimate president elect of the DRC,”Fayulu said in a statement.
“Therefore I ask the Congolese people not to recognize any individual who would claim this authority illegally nor to obey orders that would emanate from such a person.”
Fayulu’s announcement contradicts with the results by the National Independent Electoral Commission that indicated that Tshisekedi had received 38.5% of the vote whereas Fayulu came second with 34.7% and ruling coalition’s Emmanuel Shadary got 23.8% of the total votes in the December 30 polls.
