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DR Congo elections update
There were also pickup trucks with riot police circulating near the airport.
“We are ready. Everyone here is really psyched up to welcome Mr Tshisekedi. He is the charismatic opposition leader and the next leader of Congo,” said Alex, a 37-year-old supporter in the midst of the fray.
But there were also Kabila backers in the area.
“Kabila promised to reunite the country, he promised elections, and he has made that happen. Everything that he has promised the people of Congo, he has made happen,” said Kiriaune, 30.
Kabila is not very popular in Kinshasa. He was born on the other side of the country, in the eastern province of Sud-Kivu, and grew up in exile with his rebel father, Laurent Kabila, from whom he inherited power in 2001 after his assassination.
He speaks little Lingala, the main local language, and faces a tough battle here against his 10 presidential rivals.
But he enjoys more popularity in other parts of the country.
Koch said that could create frustration among voters if Kabila wins the single-round vote, the outcome most analysts expect.
“In many of the cities the president is not popular, but he has some popularity across the country. In many cities people might say that we did not vote for him, but if he comes second in all the provinces he might still win, even though nobody has the feeling that they actually elected him,” he said.
Copyright 2011 AFP.
