Congo Republic inaugurates freely-elected president

A rebel leader’s son who ushered in a peace plan was sworn in today as the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first freely-elected president in more than four decades.

Thirty-five-year-old Joseph Kabila was sworn in by Supreme Court justices in front of thousands of onlookers shading themselves from the sun under umbrellas in the national colours of blue, red and yellow.

Kabila took his oath after a series of prayers from different faiths - including Muslim, Christian and the indigenous Kimbanguist Church.

Rich in cobalt, diamonds, copper, gold and other minerals, DR Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960 and was ruled for 32 years by Mobutu Sese Seko, a dictator who plundered the nation’s wealth, pocketing billions. Kabila’s father helped depose Mobutu, but was then assassinated, leaving his son in power.

The younger Kabila signed peace accords to end 1998-2002 wars that drew in the armies of at least six countries, and established the national-unity government he heads. Since then, the vast country has been trying to organise elections and progress to a democratic government, but has been hampered by logistical delays and continued fighting.

A series of conflicts and street clashes that have marred the transition and the election – often with units of the army battling each other. But the violence never fully derailed the process started four years ago.

The 35-year-old Kabila won an October run-off vote against Jean-Pierre Bemba, a former warlord and one of four transitional vice presidents, with 52 percent of the vote.

Most of Bemba’s personal guard has been garrisoned about 50 miles outside the capital since the victory was formalised by the supreme court on November 27, a precaution against fighting after forces loyal to Kabila and Bemba fought in the run-up to the election.

South African President Thabo Mbeki and Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt were scheduled to attend the ceremony, along with European Union Development Commissioner Louis Michel and US delegation led by Labour Secretary Elaine Chao.