FACTBOX-Facts about Democratic Republic of Congo
March 23 (Reuters) - Heavy gun and mortar fire shook Congo's capital Kinshasa on Friday in a second day of bloodshed between government troops and forces of former rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba who lost the 2006 presidential polls.
Here are some facts about the country.
* THE COUNTRY
GEOGRAPHY: Formerly known as Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa's third-largest country, covering almost 2.3 million sq km (900,000 sq miles) -- nearly 80 times larger than former colonial master Belgium.
RELIGION: Roman Catholic 41 to 50 percent, Protestant 32 percent, Muslim 1.2 to 10 percent. Traditional African religions are widespread.
* ECONOMY:
-- The economy has shrunk dramatically since the 1980s. The war has severely reduced national output and government revenue, and increased external debt.
-- The IMF said this month that the newly elected government needs to contain public spending and curb inflation as economic growth slows. Real GDP growth slowed to around five percent in 2006 from 6.5 percent the previous year, while inflation reached 18.2 percent, the fund said.
* RECENT HISTORY:
-- Army chief Mobutu Sese Seko seized power in a 1965 coup and ruled until 1997, amassing a huge fortune by plundering Congo's vast resources. Laurent Kabila ousted Mobutu and changed the country's name from Zaire.
-- August 1998 - Rwanda and Uganda back a rebellion against President Laurent Kabila, a year after propelling him to power. The rebels make major gains. Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola send troops to help Kabila and halt rebels at the gates of Kinshasa.
July 1999 - Six African governments involved in the war sign ceasefire deal in Zambian capital Lusaka. Rebels ignore it.
Jan 2001 - Kabila shot dead by bodyguard in Kinshasa and replaced by son Joseph who promises to revive peace process.
Sept 2001 - Fighting breaks out between Rwandan-backed rebels and pro-government forces, and talks in October to launch the inter-Congolese dialogue in Addis Ababa collapse.
December 2002 - Congo's warring factions sign peace deal in Pretoria after several abortive rounds of talks. The war cost nearly 4 million lives, mostly from hunger and disease.
April 2, 2003 - Warring factions sign deal creating interim constitution and a transitional government.
Dec. 18, 2005 - Referendum on a post-war constitution.
July 30, 2006 - Presidential and parliamentary elections held under the auspices of the world's biggest peace mission with EU soldiers joining a 17,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force.
-- Oct. 29 - Run-off held between President Joseph Kabila and Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba. Fighting between soldiers loyal to the two kills at least 30.
-- Nov. 27 - The Supreme Court rejects challenge filed by Bemba against results showing Kabila had won the election. Bemba says the next day that he will go into political opposition after the election defeat "to preserve peace and save the country from chaos and violence". -- Dec. 6 - Kabila is sworn in.
Jan. 31, 2007 - More than 35 people are killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters the western Bas-Congo province.
March 22 - Bemba's forces defy a government order to disarm leading to heavy fighting. The state prosecutor issues an arrest warrant for high treason against the former rebel leader.
Here are some facts about the country.
* THE COUNTRY
GEOGRAPHY: Formerly known as Zaire, Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa's third-largest country, covering almost 2.3 million sq km (900,000 sq miles) -- nearly 80 times larger than former colonial master Belgium.
RELIGION: Roman Catholic 41 to 50 percent, Protestant 32 percent, Muslim 1.2 to 10 percent. Traditional African religions are widespread.
* ECONOMY:
-- The economy has shrunk dramatically since the 1980s. The war has severely reduced national output and government revenue, and increased external debt.
-- The IMF said this month that the newly elected government needs to contain public spending and curb inflation as economic growth slows. Real GDP growth slowed to around five percent in 2006 from 6.5 percent the previous year, while inflation reached 18.2 percent, the fund said.
* RECENT HISTORY:
-- Army chief Mobutu Sese Seko seized power in a 1965 coup and ruled until 1997, amassing a huge fortune by plundering Congo's vast resources. Laurent Kabila ousted Mobutu and changed the country's name from Zaire.
-- August 1998 - Rwanda and Uganda back a rebellion against President Laurent Kabila, a year after propelling him to power. The rebels make major gains. Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola send troops to help Kabila and halt rebels at the gates of Kinshasa.
July 1999 - Six African governments involved in the war sign ceasefire deal in Zambian capital Lusaka. Rebels ignore it.
Jan 2001 - Kabila shot dead by bodyguard in Kinshasa and replaced by son Joseph who promises to revive peace process.
Sept 2001 - Fighting breaks out between Rwandan-backed rebels and pro-government forces, and talks in October to launch the inter-Congolese dialogue in Addis Ababa collapse.
December 2002 - Congo's warring factions sign peace deal in Pretoria after several abortive rounds of talks. The war cost nearly 4 million lives, mostly from hunger and disease.
April 2, 2003 - Warring factions sign deal creating interim constitution and a transitional government.
Dec. 18, 2005 - Referendum on a post-war constitution.
July 30, 2006 - Presidential and parliamentary elections held under the auspices of the world's biggest peace mission with EU soldiers joining a 17,000-strong United Nations peacekeeping force.
-- Oct. 29 - Run-off held between President Joseph Kabila and Vice-President Jean-Pierre Bemba. Fighting between soldiers loyal to the two kills at least 30.
-- Nov. 27 - The Supreme Court rejects challenge filed by Bemba against results showing Kabila had won the election. Bemba says the next day that he will go into political opposition after the election defeat "to preserve peace and save the country from chaos and violence". -- Dec. 6 - Kabila is sworn in.
Jan. 31, 2007 - More than 35 people are killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters the western Bas-Congo province.
March 22 - Bemba's forces defy a government order to disarm leading to heavy fighting. The state prosecutor issues an arrest warrant for high treason against the former rebel leader.
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