France shocked by Congo poll outcome, requests clarity

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian on Thursday called for clarity on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s presidential election results, saying the surprise victory of Felix Tshisekedi was at odds with what was seen on the ground.

“We must have clarity on these results, which are the opposite to what we expected,” Le Drian told CNews.

“The Catholic Church of Congo did its tally and announced completely different results.”

Democratic Republic of Congo’s electoral commission on Thursday declared opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi the winner of last month’s chaotic presidential election, but the runner-up dismissed the outcome as an “electoral coup”.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron confers with France’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian during the United Nations Security Council meeting at the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 26, 2018.

REUTERS