DR Congo: Ban takes note of provisional results of presidential poll, calls for calm

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today took note of the release of the provisional results of the presidential elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which indicate that incumbent Joseph Kabila garnered the most votes, and stressed that any differences over the polls be resolved peacefully.

The Independent National Electoral Commission announced the results earlier today, showing that Mr. Kabila obtained 49 per cent of the vote, while opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi got 32 per cent, according to press reports.

“The Secretary-General calls for any differences regarding the provisional results of the polls to be resolved peacefully through available legal and mediation mechanisms, including the National Mediation Committee,” said a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Mr. Ban continues to follow the situation closely and strongly condemns any acts of violence in connection with the electoral process, the statement added. He reiterates his call for calm and urges all candidates and their supporters to exercise restraint and refrain from any acts of violence, provocation and incitement.

Millions of Congolese went to the polls on 28 November to cast their votes in presidential and parliamentary elections – the second time since independence from Belgium in 1960 that the country has held multi-party elections.

Last week, the Security Council congratulated the people of DRC for turning up in large numbers to cast their ballots, saying it was a demonstration of their commitment to democracy.