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DR Congo president to be sworn in DR Congo president to be sworn in
(about 5 hours later)
Joseph Kabila is to be sworn in as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, following its first democratic elections since independence in 1960. Joseph Kabila is to be sworn in as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, after its first fully democratic elections since independence in 1960.
Dozens of dignitaries are expected in the capital, Kinshasa, to witness Mr Kabila take the oath of office. Several African heads of state are due in the capital, Kinshasa, to witness Mr Kabila take the oath of office.
Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge by opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, who claimed October's run-off vote was rigged.Last month, the Supreme Court rejected a legal challenge by opposition leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, who claimed October's run-off vote was rigged.
The poll was intended to bring a new era of stability after years of war.The poll was intended to bring a new era of stability after years of war.
About four million people died during a five-year conflict 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, the threat of civil war has remained. 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.
RUN-OFF RESULT Kabila: 58.05% Bemba 41.9%RUN-OFF RESULT Kabila: 58.05% Bemba 41.9%
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-Desire Kabila. Mr Kabila, 35, has been the country's head of state since January 2001, following the assassination of his father Laurent Kabila.
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 peacekeepersDR 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.
Mr Bemba says he will not attend Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony.Mr Bemba says he will not attend Wednesday's swearing-in ceremony.
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.