The Constitutional Council, the highest court in Mozambique, on Monday confirmed the results of the country's disputed presidential election, extending the ruling Frelimo party's grip on power into a 50th year.

The highest court in Mozambique, the Constitutional Council, confirmed the disputed October election results that extended the Frelimo party's 50-year grip on power.

The ruling comes after protests that left more than 100 people dead, and paves the way for the candidate from the long-governing Frelimo party to take office next month.

There is a tense atmosphere in Mozambique's capital, Maputo, as the country awaits a court ruling on the outcome of October's contested presidential election result, which when first announced sparked weeks of deadly protests.

Mozambique's top court on Monday confirmed the ruling party Frelimo's victory in an October election, which has sparked massive protests by opposition groups who say the vote was rigged. The Constitutional Council has the final say over the electoral process and its ruling is likely to spark further protests in Mozambique,

Mozambique’s Oct. 9 presidential election was won by the ruling party candidate Daniel Chapo with 65% of the vote, the country’s top electoral court ruled, slightly reducing his initially-reported support while still leaving him the clear winner.