A decision to push back presidential elections in Democratic Republic of Congo to 2018 is not the answer to the crisis there and risks fuelling an escalation in violence, French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said.

 

"There is only way to get out of the crisis and that is that president does not present himself and arranges elections," Ayrault told reporters a day after the delay was approved by a constitutional court.

 

"Pushing back the election to an uncertain date in 2018 is not the solution. There is a risk of violent demonstrations and repression," Ayrault said.