Democratic Republic of Congo opposition leader Martin Fayulu has called on his supporters to organise protests after the constitutional court rejected his challenge to the official presidential election results.
Rival opposition candidate Felix Tshisekedi was declared the winner of the 30 December poll.
Mr Fayulu argued that Mr Tshisekedi had made a power-sharing deal with the outgoing president, Joseph Kabila.
Mr Tshisekedi's team denies this.
His supporters took to the streets of the capital, Kinshasa, after the ruling was made in the early hours of Sunday morning to celebrate.
The southern African regional group, Sadc, has congratulated Mr Tshisekedi and called on the Congolese to support the president-elect in his bid to maintain "unity, peace and stability".
Despite the court's decision, Mr Fayulu said he was the "legitimate" president.
"With this ruling, the constitutional court has defied the Congolese people, the African Union and the whole international community," he said after the ruling was made.
He added that his supporters should organise "non-violent protests all over the country to defend its sovereignty".
The African Union (AU) said on Friday that there were "serious doubts" about the outcome of elections.
BBC
