CONGO: KINSHASA: REBEL LEADER KABILA IS SWORN IN UPDATE

(29 May 1997) French/Nat

Rebel leader Laurent Kabila was sworn in on Thursday as President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire.

Kabila took office with a promise to hold elections within two years - plus a commitment to rebuild his ruined country.

Congo's new leader swore the oath of office before the Head of the Supreme Court and a crowd of tens of thousands of people.

The presidents of Uganda, Rwanda, Angola, Burundi and Zambia also attended the ceremony in Kinshasa's main sports stadium.

The man who captured a country, and then renamed it, is now officially its President.

Laurent Kabila was sworn-in on Thursday, as President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, formerly known as Zaire.

The occasion, held in the capital, was one of pomp and ceremony.

Military bands and entertainers performed on the field for the audience which filled Kinshasa's Kamanyola stadium.

Student protesters also used the occasion to make their voices heard, staging a demonstration on the stadium floor.

A large group paraded past the seated crowd demanding money for university scholarships and calling on all foreigners working with Kabila to leave.

While the audience cheered them on, the soldiers took steps to end their protest.

After several scuffles the protesters were led them from the field by troops.

Kabila, entering to a storm of applause, was sworn in as president of Congo, completing his take-over of the former Zaire and assuming sweeping powers to lead the country that is emerging after decades under ousted dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

Kabila waved his arms above his head as he made a dramatic entrance into Kinshasa's Kamanyola stadium to take his oath before 22 justices dressed in red robes lined with leopard skin.

The stadium was packed, as around 40-thousand spectators witnessed the ceremony and Kabila's pledge of loyalty to the country.

SOUNDBITE: (French)
"I, Laurent Desiree Kabila, President of the Republic, I swear loyalty to the nation."
SUPER CAPTION: Laurent Kabila, President of Congo

On hand were the Presidents of Angola, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Zambia, all strong backers of Kabila in his war against Mobutu.

Each president shook the new President's hand and embraced him after the oath was completed.

The day before the ceremony Kabila acquired the power to rule by decree allowing him to hire and fire state workers at will.

Elections have not been ruled out but they are not likely to be held immediately.

In his speech, Kabila said a commission would begin rewriting the constitution, which should be completed by October 1998.

A referendum on the constitution would then be held by December 1998, followed by presidential and legislative elections in April 1999.

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