Congo's big chance

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the type of country that inspires too many clichés, too many quick strokes with a simple brush. With a complex and painful past, it's the kind of country where the hope of its citizens would shock and amaze many who are on the outside looking in. So while the rest of the world is distracted in the Middle East, the Congolese are preparing to cast historic ballots to see how far the DRC can go in living up to its lofty name.

The United Nations' huge peacekeeping force, MONUC, is in the country to make sure this Sunday's elections go smoothly. But how smooth can it be when Joseph Kabila, the incumbent, is seen as the favourite and his main rival, Etienne Tshisekedi isn't even on the ballot, arguing that a transparent vote will be impossible?

Even though the war is technically over, Unicef estimates that some 600 children a day still die as a result of the ongoing conflicts and disease. Rape is commonly used as a war crime in the parts of the DRC where fighting continues.

Even while Tshisekedi's supporters are disenfranchised, other Congolese seem excited to finally be able to cast a ballot. The enthusiasm is encouraging, but the decision by Tshisekedi seems to have condemned these elections before the polls even open.