Pressure mounts on DR Congo to announce election outcome

Among the frontrunners were Fayulu, another opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi, and Kabila’s preferred successor, Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary.

Kabila was due to step down two years ago, but clung on to power, sparking widespread protests which were brutally repressed.

Last month’s election, preceded by repeated delays, was relatively peaceful.

But tensions have built over the lengthy counting process even as the government cut internet access and blocked broadcasts by Radio France Internationale.

On Saturday, just hours before Sunday’s scheduled announcement of the provisional outcome, electoral officials announced an indefinite delay.

Nangaa has said the tallying is made difficult by massive logistical problems in a resource-poor country the size of western Europe.

The United States and European Union have urged Kinshasa to ensure a peaceful transfer of power, while the African Union, which sent election monitors, said it was “crucial” to respect voters’ wishes.

Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of Congo to the west, urged restraint in uncertain times to “safeguard peace and stability in this brother country”.

The last two presidential elections in 2006 and 2011, both won by Kabila, were marred by bloodshed.

Between 1996 and 2003, the DR Congo suffered two wars that claimed millions of lives through fighting, starvation, and disease.