EU urges transparency from DR Congo's Kabila

(BRUSSELS) - The EU warned Tuesday it will re-consider its backing for the Democratic Republic of Congo unless there is transparency over the election results which handed Joseph Kabila a fresh term as prtesident.

The European Union "acknowledged" Kabila's swearing-in on Tuesday but its foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said that the bloc "will re-evaluate its support come the next stages in the Congo's democratic process,".

She reiterated the bloc's "concern over serious deficiencies and the absence of transparency" in issuing the election results.

Kabila was sworn in following disputed polls that have plunged the country into crisis.

The 40-year-old incumbent was last week confirmed the winner by a Supreme Court which the opposition says he packed with loyalists just before the November 28 polls.

The results of the chaotic vote were criticised by observers and rejected by opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi, who has proclaimed himself the people's president and is planning his own inauguration on Friday.

Ashton continued: "What has to happen now is that lessons are learnt without delay and that the declaration of results in (parallel) legislative elections takes place in conditions guaranteeing transparency and credibility."

The EU urged the DR Congo authorities to "take into account the concerns of observer missions, and to implement their recommendations and open up to cooperation with the opposition."

Calling on "light to be shed on alleged violations of human rights," it urged that those responsible be brought to justice.