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DR Congo president to be sworn in DR Congo president to be sworn in
(about 2 hours later)
Joseph Kabila is to be sworn in as the first freely-elected president of the Democratic Republic of Congo since independence in 1960. Excited crowds and heads of state have gathered in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the swearing in of Joseph Kabila as president of the nation.
Several African heads of state are due in the capital, Kinshasa, to witness Mr Kabila take the oath of office. He will be DR Congo's first freely elected leader in 40 years having defeated Jean-Pierre Bemba in a run-off presidential election in October.
Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge by opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, who claimed October's run-off vote was rigged. An opposition party that boycotted the vote has planned a demonstration in the capital to coincide with the ceremony.
The poll was intended to bring a new era of stability after years of war. But with thousands of armed guards patrolling it is unlikely to proceed.
Their success has been hailed as a miracle. Mr Kabila, who took power in 2001 after his father was assassinated, has been the head of a transitional government since a peace agreement was signed three years ago to end the civil war.
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 been hailed as a miracle.
About four million people died during a five-year 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 a five-year conflict in the east of the country that pitted government forces, supported by Angola, Namibia and Zimbabwe, against rebels backed by Uganda and Rwanda.
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. Umbrellas
Thousands of people anxious to witness Mr Kabila take his oath of office have gathered outside the courthouse in the capital, Kinshasa, as bands troop past to cheers.
RUN-OFF RESULT Kabila: 58.05% Bemba 41.9%RUN-OFF RESULT Kabila: 58.05% Bemba 41.9%
Many are shading upder umbrellas in the national colours of blue, red and yellow, reports Associated Press news agency.
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.
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.
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.Ugandan officials say the fighting has now stopped near the border.
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 Laurent Kabila.Mr Kabila, 35, has been the country's head of state since January 2001, following the assassination of his father Laurent Kabila.
DR CONGO WAR 1998 - 20024m deadAt least 8 armies, many rebel groups2003: Rebels join unity governmentEast remains unstable17,000 UN peacekeepers
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%.
DR CONGO WAR 1998 - 20024m deadAt least 8 armies, many rebel groups2003: Rebels join unity governmentEast remains unstable17,000 UN peacekeepers
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.
Mr Bemba says he will not attend Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is also not attending - despite being a close ally of Joseph Kabila's father, but many African heads of state including Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria will be there.Mr Bemba says he will not attend Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is also not attending - despite being a close ally of Joseph Kabila's father, but many African heads of state including Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria will be there.
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.