AU urges DRC to respect results
2006-07-31 21:03
Addis Ababa - The African Union (AU) on Monday called on the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo to respect the outcome of the country's historic elections held during the weekend.
The AU commission chief Alpha Omar Konare said disputes in DRC's first democratic elections in more than 40 years should be addressed only through legal means.
Konare said: "I call upon the participants to respect the electoral verdict and, to where necessary, seek redress only through legally laid down procedures in case of dispute of the result."
"I congratulate the Congolese people for their patience, courage and faith in the future which they have demonstrated throughout the long years of war experienced by the DRC as well as during the three years of political transition."
On Sunday, millions of voters turned out for the landmark elections hoped to usher stability in to the war-ravaged central African nation, the results of which are not due until August 31.
- SAPA