Mr Joseph Kabila today was sworn in as president of the Democratic Republic of Congo and successor to his slain father Mr Laurent Kabila.
"I, Joseph Kabila, president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, swear fidelity and faithfulness to the nation and I make a solemn pledge to respect the constitution and laws of the republic," he said.
"I guarantee the independence, unity and cohesion of the Congolese people," he added, speaking in French.
Mr Kabila, the 31-year-old army commander, was chosen by the government last week to succeed his father, who was shot by one of his own bodyguards and died despite emergency medical treatment in Zimbabwe.
The swearing-in had been scheduled for Wednesday, but was delayed so the country's parliament could give its unanimous go-ahead.
Reuters