KINSHASA – Joseph Kabila was sworn in as the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first freely elected leader yesterday, seen by many as a possible turning point not only for this war-ravaged nation of 60 million but for all of central Africa.
If the 35-year-old president-elect has the will and the skill to fulfill his campaign pledge of becoming the leader “of all the people, without distinction,” it could help bring peace to a devastated region and pave the way for the development of his country’s fabulously rich natural resources. Elected in an October 29 run-off with a commanding 58 per cent of the vote, Kabila will rule with the backing of a solid coalition majority in a newly reconstituted national assembly.A legal challenge by rival candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba was knocked down by the Supreme Court last week.Nampa-AFPElected in an October 29 run-off with a commanding 58 per cent of the vote, Kabila will rule with the backing of a solid coalition majority in a newly reconstituted national assembly.A legal challenge by rival candidate Jean-Pierre Bemba was knocked down by the Supreme Court last week.Nampa-AFP
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