Elections in Congo promise hope for Africa's future
Campaigning has officially begun in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the first proper election since 1960 will be held on July 30.
Police use teargas against opposition demonstrators.
This is a remarkable event. An anarchic country, twice the size of Britain, France and Germany combined, will soon have its first chance to choose a government.
Congo is almost devoid of passable roads and much of its territory is beyond the control of the government in the capital, Kinshasa.
Armed militias are still active in the eastern rainforests. But this election is the first glimmer of hope for decades.
As usual in Africa, there is not much doubt about who will win. The incumbent president, Joseph Kabila, will almost certainly emerge victorious. A 34-year-old former taxi driver, Kabila inherited the presidency from his father, Laurent, who was assassinated in January 2001.
So a country that calls itself a democratic republic has an unelected, hereditary president. That will change on July 30.
If so, this will be an historic and hopeful moment for all Africa.
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