CONGO: KINSHASA: CELEBRATION OF 37TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

Описание: (1 Jul 1997) Natural Sound

About 40-thousand people, including presidents of nine African countries, marked independence day in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday.

The 37th independence day celebrations are the first with President Laurent Kabila in power.

Kinshasa's Martyrs Stadium was the venue on Monday for celebrations marking independence day in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

About 40-thousand people turned up for the occasion - the 37th year of independence and the first with President Laurent Kabila in charge.

Kabila took over in May from former Zairian President Mobutu Sese Seko.

The atmosphere was festive with local bands and colourful military parades.

Kabila welcomed nine presidents from African countries on hand for the independence day, including the president of Central Africa, Ange Felix Patasse, and the president of Burundi, Pierre Buyoya.

The president of the neighbouring Congo Pascal Lissouba attended the ceremonies even though his country is gripped by civil war and there were reports of overnight shelling in the Congo capital, Brazzaville.

For Kabila, who led the rebel forces that overran Mobutu's government, the day held special significance - the first independence day after 31 years of Mobutu's dictatorship.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...