The comparative lack of bloodshed in the final days of the fight for Zaire bodes well for the future of the country. Kinshasa fell with little or no resistance the army of Mr Mobuto Sese Seko - with the exception of his presidential guard - had virtually given up the struggle days before. The victorious army of Gen Laurent Kabila would seem to be focused and disciplined; long may it remain so.
The fall of Mr Mobuto should have momentous consequences not just for Zaire, now renamed the Democratic Republic of the Congo, but for many other African countries. Mr Mobuto aided and sponsored on-going conflicts in Angola, the Sudan, Uganda and, to a lesser extent, Burundi. His absence from the scene should help to bring these conflicts to a close and hopefully usher in an era of economic development for the region. On the other hand, Gen Kabila, and his allies have enemies aplenty in Central Africa which he may be tempted to irritate.
In the meantime, everything possible must be done to track down the billions of dollars stolen from the country by Mr Mobuto and have them restored. Mr Mobuto, it is said, will seek sanctuary either in Morocco or France. Natural justice would suggest that he should get sanctuary nowhere and especially not in France which will surely wish to wash its hands of him and its shameful association with his despotism. France is not the only culprit of course. The United States condoned his misrule and added to it by advancing enormous bank loans for grandiose schemes which never saw the light of day but which catapulted the country into bankruptcy.
Gen Kabila has promised a new constitution and elections within a year. These are courageous commitments but it would be better if the introduction of multi-party democracy came late when the country is prepared for it rather than early when it is not. The international community, so silent about Mr Mobutu's flagrant disregard for democracy, should resist linking its early introduction to badly-needed aid.
Gen Kabila has much to do. The composition of his interim government will be crucial; if it is not broadly based it will have a needlessly uphill struggle in gaining acceptance. At the very least, it must include Mr Etienne Tshisekedi, a former Prime Minister and the country's most notable opposition leader. The army is of pivotal importance. Most of the commanders are Tutsis. They will not be accepted by the majority of the population, especially after they took the opportunity to kill thousands of Hutu refugees, abduct children and block emergency food relief. Gen Kabila's attitude to the plight of the Hutu refugees and the efforts of the aid agencies has, without doubt, been the most disturbing feature of his regime to date. If he requires humanitarian aid from the international community he must first prove himself to be humanitarian.