This is the News in Brief from the United Nations.
UN Chief calls for calm following disputed Congo election result
The preliminary results of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s long-delayed presidential election are in, with Congo’s electoral commission declaring opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi as the winner of the poll.
However, the outcome has been disputed by poll observers, which include the powerful Catholic Church, and rival presidential candidate Martin Fayalu, who is reported to have immediately rejected the result.
In a statement, UN chief António Guterres has appealed for all parties in the country to “refrain from violence,” and called for them – as well as the electoral commission and civil society – to “each live up to their responsibility in preserving stability and upholding democratic practices.”
Regional Somalia elections praised by UN
Meanwhile in Somalia, the UN has congratulated those responsible for overseeing elections in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland.
Raisedon Zenenga, Deputy Special Representative in the country, said that the Somali electoral commission had organized and conducted a transparent, peaceful, free and fair electoral process.
Mr. Zenenga also congratulated the newly-elected president of Puntland, and commended the outgoing leader of the region for overseeing a peaceful transition of power.
Conflict in North-East Nigeria ‘has created a humanitarian tragedy’
Tens of thousands of civilians in North-East Nigeria continue to flee their homes, as armed conflict in the region worsens.
Clashes between Nigerian government forces and armed groups in late December led to civilians fleeing their homes in ever-greater numbers, heading to already-congested camps, or sites for internally displaced people.
In recent weeks, more than 30,000 internally displaced people have arrived in the state capital Maiduguri, often after enduring arduous journeys with young children.
Conor Lennon, UN News.
