AU seriously doubts DRC provisional presidential results, calls for delay of final results

The African Union (AU) says it has serious doubts about the provisional presidential results released last week in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The pan-African organisation has urged authorities in the DRC to postpone the announcement of the final presidential election results.

"There were serious doubts on the conformity of the provisional results, as proclaimed by the National Independent Electoral Commission, with the votes cast," part of the statement read.

"Accordingly, the [AU] called for the suspension of the proclamation of the final results of the elections."

DRC's electoral commission declared opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi president but his opponent Martin Fayulu, who had been in a healthy lead, insisted that he won.

He went on to challenge the decision in the country's court of appeal claiming that Tshisekedi made a power-sharing deal with outgoing President Joseph Kabila who has been in office for 18 years.

Several AU heads of state and government held a meeting on the situation in the DRC following the disputed December election.