Two African presidents have congratulated Democratic Republic of Congo opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi for winning last month’s presidential poll, despite the African Union saying it had “serious doubts” about the result.

The constitutional court ruled that Mr Tshisekedi had won after rejecting a challenge from rival Martin Fayulu.

He said Mr Tshisekedi made a deal with outgoing President Joseph Kabila.

Mr Tshisekedi’s team denies this.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa both sent their congratulations.

Mr Ramaphosa called on all parties “to respect the decision of the constitutional court and commit to continue with a journey of consolidating peace”.

The southern African regional group, Sadc, has also welcomed Mr Tshisekedi’s victory saying that all Congolese should support the president-elect in his bid to maintain “unity, peace and stability”.

The African Union, which was supposed to send a delegation to the DR Congo on Monday, has now postponed the trip.

On Friday, it had called on the court to refrain from ruling on the result of the vote.

BBC