SA congratulates Kabila on re-election

Pretoria - South Africa has congratulated Joseph Kabila on his
re-election as president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen relations with that country.

In a statement, the International Relations Department said South Africa
remained committed to a strategy of post-conflict reconstruction and
development in the DRC that is aligned with that of the African Union
and NEPAD.

"Furthermore, the South African government and its citizens reiterate
[their] commitment to continue working with the government and the
people of the DRC, with a strong emphasis on devising mechanisms and
processes to ensure rapid development in existing and new bilateral
projects for the mutual benefit of the two countries," the department said.

A presidential inauguration will be held today, where Pretoria will be
represented by International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

There has been tension in that country after opposition leader Etienne
Tshisekedi, who lost in the elections, rejected the vote results.

Kabila won by 49 percent of the votes, while Tshisekedi got 32 percent.
- BuaNews