Joseph Kabila has been re-elected as president of DR Congo following the country’s general election at the end of last month.
Eleven candidates were in the running for the presidency, including the incumbent Kabila, who has held office since January 2001.
The result sparked violence in some parts of the volatile west African country over allegations of electoral fraud. At least four people have been found dead in Kinshasa in post-election fighting.
Kabila’s opponents have highlighted suspicious cases in some south-eastern cities where the president is said to have received 100 per cent of votes.
The incumbent has admitted some flaws in the system, but maintained the integrity of the democratic system in DR Congo.
He said: “Were there some mistakes? Of course, like all the other elections on the continent or in other countries. But should this results cast doubt on the credibility of these elections? I don’t think so.”
Abroad, the picture is more cautious. French Minister of Foreign Affairs Alain Juppé said that it was “hard to get a clear picture of how the elections were held”.
With 64,000 different voting places throughout the country, many in very rural and rainforest areas, verifying the vote independently is extremely difficult.
The country’s Supreme Court of Justice has examined the results and is set to announce its decision on 17 December. If Kabila is still proclaimed as president, he will be sworn in on 20 December.
