WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Providing assistance to Democratic Republic of the Congo will help foster a respect for human rights though lingering concerns remain, a U.S. official said.
The Supreme Court in the Democratic Republic of Congo upheld results that indicated President Joseph Kabila won a November election over opposition leader Etienne Tshisekedi. Daniel Baer, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for democracy, said the courts are notoriously biased in Kabila's favor, however.
Dozens of people were killed since the court's declaration and many of those slain were members of the opposition. Baer said Washington expects the DRC government to resort to violence in the future but warned Kinshasa that violations of civil and human rights are unacceptable.
"Without a strong and sustained commitment by the government to democracy and human rights, little can be done that will be sustainable," he said in a statement.
Baer added that Washington recognizes that DRC is one of the least developed countries in the world. Even if the government committed to democracy and the rule of law, its abilities are limited.
"Helping them foster and inculcate a respect for human rights and the rule of law, and embed it institutions as a way of doing things, is the central task, and the larger part of a sustainable solution," he said.
