As Kabila wraps presidential sash around successor, doubts linger about vote’s credibility

The new president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has called for national reconciliation after being sworn in as successor to Joseph Kabila in the country’s first transfer of power via an election in 59 years of independence.

Felix Tshisekedi said to cheers from thousands of supporters on the lawn of the presidential palace in Kinshasa: “We want to build a strong Congo, turned toward its development in peace and security. A Congo for all, in which everyone has a place.”

Opponent Martin Fayulu rejects ruling, saying the court has enabled a ‘constitutional coup d’etat’

The constitutional court of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed Felix Tshisekedi’s presidential election win, dismissing a challenge from another opposition leader who had accused him and the ruling party of stitching up the result.

Second-placed Martin Fayulu rejected the provisional tally for DRC’s election released last week, saying it was the product of a secret deal between Tshisekedi and outgoing President Joseph Kabila to cheat him out of a clear win of more than 60%.

SADC also urges government of national unity to ease crisis after poll result contested

A powerful regional body of African states has called for a recount in the contested presidential election in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The unexpected move underlines growing worries that instead of marking a turning point for the troubled country, the 30 December vote and the deepening political crisis it has triggered will instead lead to a slide into anarchy and violence.

Martin Fayulu’s campaign team says he won 60% of vote, fuelling febrile atmosphere as police and soldiers deployed across country

The runner-up in Democratic Republic of the Congo’s presidential election says he in fact won the vote by a landslide, as rising violence across the country fuels fears of a wider law and order breakdown.

Martin Fayulu’s campaign team claimed it had evidence its candidate had scored more than 60% of the votes in the much-delayed election on 30 December, 42 points more than Félix Tshisekedi, who was declared the winner by the electoral commission early on Thursday.

Claims provisional winner Tshisekedi has done deal with former ruler may be more than sour grapes

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, an election is not a single decisive event, but just one part of a never-ending struggle to gain and keep power in which living to fight another day is as important as landing a knockout punch.

Of the half dozen or so major players a year ago, only two or three remain standing.

Security forces at election commission’s offices amid fears of violence over claims of vote-rigging

Riot police have been deployed to protect election officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as it braced for the announcement of the results of the presidential vote held 11 days ago.

Security forces took up positions outside the offices of the DRC’s election commission and elsewhere in the capital Kinshasa, amid fears that violence would mar the first electoral transfer of power in 59 years of independence.

Both opposition and ruling coalition claim victory after chaotic presidential poll

Fears of electoral fraud are rising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo after officials said a total block on internet connections and SMS services imposed after the chaotic presidential poll on Sunday could last for several days.

Both the opposition and ruling coalition have claimed victory in the elections – the third poll since 2002 and the end of a civil war in which millions died.