Regional Leaders Drop Congo-Vote Recount Call, Urging Stability

  • Congo opposition leader Fayulu is challenging result in court
  • Research group says results were rigged to deny Fayulu victory

Martin Fayulu 

Photographer: Luis Tato/AFP via Getty Images

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Southern African leaders dropped their call for a recount of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s disputed presidential election and urged the international community to respect the country’s sovereignty.

The announcement removes a pillar of support from Congolese opposition leader Martin Fayulu’s Constitutional Court bid to review the results of the Dec. 30 vote, won by rival candidate Felix Tshisekedi. The 16-nation Southern African Development Community had called for a recount of the ballot in a Jan. 13 statement issued by Zambia’s presidency.