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DR Congo's president is sworn in DR Congo's president is sworn in
(about 1 hour later)
Joseph Kabila has been sworn in as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo in front of excited crowds and heads of state in the capital.Joseph Kabila has been sworn in as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo in front of excited crowds and heads of state in the capital.
He is DR Congo's first freely elected leader in 40 years having defeated Jean-Pierre Bemba in a tense run-off presidential election in October.He is DR Congo's first freely elected leader in 40 years having defeated Jean-Pierre Bemba in a tense run-off presidential election in October.
The 35-year-old took power in 2001 after his father was assassinated.The 35-year-old took power in 2001 after his father was assassinated.
He headed a transitional government during the past three years after a peace deal to end a five-year war.He headed a transitional government during the past three years after a peace deal to end a five-year war.
Thousands of guests were in the garden of State House just near the huge and powerful Congo river.Thousands of guests were in the garden of State House just near the huge and powerful Congo river.
Many people were shading themselves under umbrellas in the national colours of blue, red and yellow.Many people were shading themselves under umbrellas in the national colours of blue, red and yellow.
Thousands of guests are taking shelter from the hot sunThousands of guests are taking shelter from the hot sun
An opposition party that boycotted the vote had planned a demonstration in the capital to coincide with the ceremony. But with thousands of armed guards patrolling it was thought unlikely to proceed. Several African leaders are attending the event including South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki and the Angolan leader, Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
But Mr Bemba did not attend the swearing-in ceremony. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is also not attending - despite being a close ally of Joseph Kabila's father, Laurent.
Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge by Mr Bemba, who claimed the run-off vote was rigged.Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge by Mr Bemba, who claimed the run-off vote was rigged.
The poll was intended to bring a new era of stability after years of war and its successful conclusion was hailed as a miracle.The poll was intended to bring a new era of stability after years of war and its successful conclusion was hailed as a miracle.
About four million people died during the conflict in the east of the country that pitted government forces, supported by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, against rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda.About four million people died during the conflict in the east of the country that pitted government forces, supported by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, against rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda.
HopeHope
Policemen are parading near the ceremony to cheers from the crowd.Policemen are parading near the ceremony to cheers from the crowd.
Mr Kabila enjoys most support from eastern DR Congo
Several African leaders are attending the event including South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and the Angolan leader, Jose Eduardo dos Santos.
Mr Bemba said he would not attend the swearing-in ceremony. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is also not attending - despite being a close ally of Joseph Kabila's father, Laurent.
Many Congolese hope the inauguration of Mr Kabila will mark a new beginning for the war-ravaged nation.Many Congolese hope the inauguration of Mr Kabila will mark a new beginning for the war-ravaged nation.
But despite a peace deal in 2002 and the formation of a transitional government a year later, violence involving small militia groups in the east has continued. But despite a peace deal in 2002 and the formation of a transitional government a year later, the challenges facing President Kabila remain huge.
DR CONGO WAR 1998 - 20024m deadArmies from several countries and many rebel groups2003: Rebels join unity governmentEast remains unstable17,000 UN peacekeepers DR CONGO WAR 1998 - 20024m deadArmies from several countries and many rebel groups2003: Rebels join unity governmentEast remains unstable17,000 UN peacekeepers href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6213708.stm" class=""> Inauguration in pictures
Violence has continued involving small militia groups in the east who do not accept control from Kinshasa, the capital, which lies some 1,500 km to the west away across vast tracts of forest.
On Tuesday, Ugandan military officials said at least 12,000 people from eastern DR Congo had crossed into the country to flee fighting between the Congolese army and forces loyal to dissident general Laurent Nkunda.On Tuesday, Ugandan military officials said at least 12,000 people from eastern DR Congo had crossed into the country to flee fighting between the Congolese army and forces loyal to dissident general Laurent Nkunda.
Ugandan officials say the fighting has now stopped near the border and national army is now back in control of the border posts.Ugandan officials say the fighting has now stopped near the border and national army is now back in control of the border posts.
Mr Nkunda left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion following the 2002 ceasefire, saying the country's transition to democracy was flawed and excluded the minority Tutsi community.Mr Nkunda left the army and launched his own low-level rebellion following the 2002 ceasefire, saying the country's transition to democracy was flawed and excluded the minority Tutsi community.
'Unfounded claims''Unfounded claims'
Mr Kabila, 35, has been the country's head of state since January 2001, following the assassination of his father.Mr Kabila, 35, has been the country's head of state since January 2001, following the assassination of his father.
RUN-OFF RESULT Kabila: 58.05% Bemba 41.9%RUN-OFF RESULT Kabila: 58.05% Bemba 41.9%
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the complaints of election fraud filed by Mr Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo party were "unfounded".Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the complaints of election fraud filed by Mr Bemba's Movement for the Liberation of Congo party were "unfounded".
It confirmed the provisional results of the Independent Electoral Commission, with Mr Kabila winning 58.05% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 41.9%.It confirmed the provisional results of the Independent Electoral Commission, with Mr Kabila winning 58.05% of the vote compared to Mr Bemba's 41.9%.
US election observer group the Carter Center said there was evidence of vote tampering on both sides. But it said neither candidate benefited significantly over the other.US election observer group the Carter Center said there was evidence of vote tampering on both sides. But it said neither candidate benefited significantly over the other.
The results showed a regional divide, with Mr Bemba gaining most votes in the Lingala-speaking west, including Kinshasa, while Mr Kabila won by a landslide in the Swahili-speaking east.The results showed a regional divide, with Mr Bemba gaining most votes in the Lingala-speaking west, including Kinshasa, while Mr Kabila won by a landslide in the Swahili-speaking east.
The polls were organised under the terms of a 2002 peace deal that drew in the armies of nine other African countries.The polls were organised under the terms of a 2002 peace deal that drew in the armies of nine other African countries.
Under the deal, former rebels were supposed to be integrated into the army, but progress has been slow and the three former rebel leaders who are vice-presidents have retained large personal security forces.Under the deal, former rebels were supposed to be integrated into the army, but progress has been slow and the three former rebel leaders who are vice-presidents have retained large personal security forces.
The world's biggest peacekeeping force - about 17,000 strong - is in DR Congo to prevent unrest.The world's biggest peacekeeping force - about 17,000 strong - is in DR Congo to prevent unrest.