The Latest: Congo’s internet service is back after 20 days
Posted Jan 19, 2019 2:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
KINSHASA, Congo — The Latest on Congo’s presidential election (all times local):
10:10 p.m.
People inside Congo say internet service has returned, 20 days after it was cut off following the elections.
Internet service in Congo had been blocked since Dec. 31 in a likely attempt to dampen speculation about the presidential election results. The constitutional Court is poised to rule on a challenge to the results filed by declared runner-up Martin Fayulu, who alleges fraud.
The U.S. ambassador to Congo, Mike Hammer, tweeted earlier Saturday saying 20 days without internet in the country are “20 days too many” and that access “needs to be restored now.”
British Ambassador John Murton also had been tweeting regular reminders of the shutdown.
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3:50 p.m.
The party behind the declared winner of Congo’s presidential election is rejecting the African Union’s surprise request to delay announcing the final results amid “serious doubts” about the vote.
The secretary-general of Felix Tshisekedi’s Union for Democracy and Social Progress party accuses mining lobbyists of seeking to destabilize Congo and loot the mineral-rich country.
Jean-Marc Kabund’s statement comes as Congo’s constitutional Court is poised to rule on the declared runner-up’s challenge to the election results, alleging fraud. Kabund’s UDPS party calls on the Congolese people to unite and defend the country’s sovereignty.
Hundreds of Tshisekedi’s supporters are in the streets of the capital, Kinshasa, waving tree branches and banners reading “Congo for the Congolese.”
Runner-up Martin Fayulu seeks a recount in the Dec. 30 vote.
The Associated Press
