The result could lead to the country’s first democratic transfer of power since independence from Belgium in 1960.
Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi has won the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) presidential election, according to provisional results announced by the country’s electoral commission.
The announcement late on Wednesday came as riot police deployed at the commission’s headquarters in the capital, Kinshasa, amid fears of a disputed result in the long-delayed December 30 vote marked by accusations of vote fraud.
The result could lead to the country’s first democratic transfer of power since independence from Belgium in 1960, though election observers reported a number of irregularities during the polls.
Losing candidates, who include businessman Martin Fayulu and ruling party candidate Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, can contest the results before the country’s constitutional court, which has 10 days to hear and rule on any challenges.
More to follow.