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DR Congo votes in landmark poll DR Congo votes in landmark poll
(10 minutes later)
Voting has started in the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential run-off, in one of Africa's most significant elections for many years.Voting has started in the Democratic Republic of Congo's presidential run-off, in one of Africa's most significant elections for many years.
However, an early-morning thunderstorm prevented many voters and officials from getting to the polls in Kinshasa.
President Joseph Kabila, who came to power after his father Laurent was assassinated in 2001, is facing former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.President Joseph Kabila, who came to power after his father Laurent was assassinated in 2001, is facing former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba.
The UN-backed election is intended to crown a peace process that ended five bloody years of civil war in 2003. The UN-backed election crowns a peace process after five years of war.
Correspondents say the outcome could shape the future for much of Africa. The run-off should conclude DR Congo's first fully democratic polls since independence in 1960.
The run-off should conclude DR Congo's first fully democratic polls since independence in 1960 and is aimed at restoring peace to one of Africa's largest and most turbulent states. "We need this vote to put an end to the mess. With God's help we will," Isidor Kaombe told Reuters news agency as he waited for election officials to arrive an hour after voting was due to begin in the capital, Kinshasa.
Looters
The BBC's Mark Doyle in Kinshasa says it is impossible to exaggerate how the destiny of DR Congo could shape the future of Africa.The BBC's Mark Doyle in Kinshasa says it is impossible to exaggerate how the destiny of DR Congo could shape the future of Africa.
Profile: Jean-Pierre Bemba Profile: President Kabila Nine African states border the country and all were affected by the wars caused by the long lack of real government in DR Congo, the power vacuum at the heart of Africa, he says. DR Congo is two-thirds the size of Western Europe but has just 300 miles of paved roads after years of conflict and gross mismanagement. Profile: Jean-Pierre Bemba Profile: President Kabila Nine African states border the country and all were affected by the wars caused by the long lack of real government in DR Congo, the power vacuum at the heart of Africa, he says.
Its rich reserves of minerals such as gold, diamonds and coltan - used in mobile phones - have attracted a series of armed groups, both Congolese and foreign, intent on looting.Its rich reserves of minerals such as gold, diamonds and coltan - used in mobile phones - have attracted a series of armed groups, both Congolese and foreign, intent on looting.
DR Congo is two-thirds the size of Western Europe but has just 300 miles of paved roads after years of conflict and gross mismanagement.
UN officials say the polls are the most important on the continent since the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela that ended apartheid in South Africa.UN officials say the polls are the most important on the continent since the 1994 election of Nelson Mandela that ended apartheid in South Africa.
However, our correspondent says the candidates are not Nelson Mandelas and neither of them has a good record of being a democrat.However, our correspondent says the candidates are not Nelson Mandelas and neither of them has a good record of being a democrat.
Mr Kabila has strong support in the east of Congo; Mr Bemba is popular in the west.Mr Kabila has strong support in the east of Congo; Mr Bemba is popular in the west.
This political split across the geography of a vast nation is the same split that in the past led to a war in which four million people are estimated to have died, our correspondent adds.This political split across the geography of a vast nation is the same split that in the past led to a war in which four million people are estimated to have died, our correspondent adds.
Troops standbyTroops standby
Mr Kabila won first round polls on 30 July, but fell just short of the 50% needed for outright victory.Mr Kabila won first round polls on 30 July, but fell just short of the 50% needed for outright victory.
At least 23 people were killed in armed clashes between the two men's security forces in Kinshasa after the results were announced.At least 23 people were killed in armed clashes between the two men's security forces in Kinshasa after the results were announced.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on the two candidates to ensure that the election is peaceful.United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has called on the two candidates to ensure that the election is peaceful.
Both men have promised to urge their supporters against violence and to abide by election rules.Both men have promised to urge their supporters against violence and to abide by election rules.
A UN official in Kinshasa has described the situation as "tense but manageable".A UN official in Kinshasa has described the situation as "tense but manageable".
Extra UN peacekeeping troops are on standby in the east of the country.Extra UN peacekeeping troops are on standby in the east of the country.
In the capital, Kinshasa, the UN is being backed up by a special European Union military force.In the capital, Kinshasa, the UN is being backed up by a special European Union military force.