Kinshasa, 05 January, 2024 / 9:40 pm (ACI Africa).
Members of the National Episcopal Conference of Congo (CENCO) and the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) have “strongly condemned” cases of violence recorded in the country following the 20 December 2023 general elections.
On December 31, the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) declared President Félix Tshisekedi winner of the Presidential poll with 73 percent of the vote as opposed to 18 percent that his main rival, Martin Fayulu, garnered.
Several opposition parties have reportedly condemned the results as a “sham”, demanding a rerun. Earlier this week, clashes erupted between some of Fayulu’s supporters and police officers who fired tear gas at protesters.
In a statement issued Thursday, January 4, CENCO-ECC members urged Congolese to “remain united and vigilant in the fight against anti-values, wherever they may come from.”
“We strongly condemn the violence, both verbal and physical, observed throughout this process,” the Church leaders said.