DR Congo Election: Voters hope for solutions to multiple challenges

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02:18

As citizens turned out to vote, many are hoping the country's multiple challenges can be fixed. CGTN's Chris Ochamringa takes a closer look at the everyday hurdles the Congolese must deal with.

The DRC is Africa's biggest copper producer and is rich in minerals. But the vast majority of its population is poor.

Corruption is widespread.

The minerals have also been the source of conflict for decades which has scared away investors.

But President Joseph Kabila says his government has accomplished most of the promises it made in 2001.

JOSEPH KABILA PRESIDENT, DR CONGO "The second item on our agenda or plan of action is that we wanted to achieve economic stability, monetary stability, did we achieve or have we achieved that the answer is yes. Our economy is stable."

But a former World Bank official who's running for the DRC's top job disagrees.

DR. NOEL MUADIMVITA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE "With my Marshall plan for the reconstruction of the Congo, people can see that there is hope. We can change things to create opportunities, employment for everybody and accelerate industrialization."

CHRIS OCAMRINGA KINSHASA, DR CONGO "The DRC has only had four presidents since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. Its population of 80 million people is scattered across a country with poor infrastructure which is an issue many voters would like to change."

Twenty-One candidates are vying to replace Joseph Kabila.

A political analyst in Kinshasa believes whoever wins must tackle corruption.

PROF. NKERE NTANDA POLITICAL ANALYST "We just need very strong and determined leadership that will bang on the table and I can tell you that the coffers of the government in terms of revenue will be filled up just like that."

Over 40 million Congolese are going to the polls.

Many hope, the much desired change will give them something to sing about for many more years.

Chris Ochamringa, CGTN, Kinshasa, DRC.