Key events in DR Congo peace process

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) embraces a historic election on Sunday since its independence from colonial power of Belgium in 1960.

Here is a short chronology of key events in the DRC over the last four decades.

1960: Congo declares independence from Belgium on June 30 and Joseph Kasavubu becomes president.

1965: Mobutu Sese Seko seizes power in a coup and begins a 32-year-rule to the country.

1997: Rebel leader Laurent Kabila declares himself president after being propelled to power by Rwandan-backed forces that swept across Congo. Mobutu then flees into exile.

1998: Rebel forces backed by Rwanda and Uganda rise up in east against Kabila due to deepening conflicts. The war draws in six neighboring armies and divides the north and east into rebel-controlled fiefdoms. Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola send troops to help Kabila and halt rebels at the gates of Kinshasa.

1999: Six African governments involved in the war sign ceasefire deal in Zambian capital Lusaka. Rwanda and Uganda who join fighting between rebel factions agree to a truce. The two largest rebels also sign the ceasefire deal.

2000: United Nations Security Council authorizes 5,500-strong UN force to monitor 1999 cease-fire among five foreign armies and government, but Lusaka peace summit collapses and fighting continues. The UN force grows to 17,000 so far, becoming the largest in the world.

2001: Laurent Kabila is assassinated in Kinshasa by his bodyguard and succeeded by his son, Joseph Kabila, who promises to revive peace process and deploy the UN force. Rwanda, Uganda and rebel groups back UN-brokered disengagement plan.

2002: Peace deal is signed in South Africa's Pretoria by warring parties, though local militia groups continue sporadic conflicts in the east. Presidents of Rwanda and the DRC sign peace pact, providing for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops.

2003: Congo's warring factions sign a post-war deal setting up an interim constitution and Joseph Kabila names transitional government to lead Congo until elections. Leaders of main former rebel groups swear in as vice presidents. Interim parliament also inaugurates.

2004: Several abortive coups occur and military conflicts happen in Bukawu, capital city of Sud-kivu Province, which fortunately don't reverse the peaceful process.

2005: Referendum on constitution that limits president to two five-year terms passes.

2006: Congo scheduled to hold presidential elections, its first democratic vote for a new leader since 1960.

Source: Xinhua