Kabila plays down effect of Congo poll ‘mistakes’

Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila yesterday conceded “mistakes” had been made in last month’s election, but rejected mounting criticism that the results lacked credibility.

A leader of Congo’s highly-influential Catholic Church said the results handing Mr Kabila victory over Etienne Tshisekedi in the 28 November vote “do not conform to the truth”.

Mr Kabila brushed off the doubts, and the head of the election commission said any irregularities were not enough to have changed the outcome.

The vote was meant to move the central African country towards greater stability after a 1998-2003 war that killed more than five million people.

Instead it was marked by violence and chaotic preparations in addition to the allegations of fraud.