Congo's Lifeline

LISALA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - APRIL 2: An overview of the Congo River from former president Mobuto Sese Seko's palace on April 2, 2006 in Lisala, Congo, DRC. Mobuto ruled the country for over forty years. Supported by the international community, he and his comrades in government and business looted the country of billions of dollars worth of minerals during his years in power. During this time, his people suffered terrible, and today the country has hardly any infrastructure as a result. Mr. Mobuto was born in Lisala and he came here often with his family. He built the palace and everything was imported from Europe. The palace was looted in 1997, after Mobuto fled the country and advancing rebels passed Lisala on their way to Kinshasa. The Congo River is a lifeline for millions of people, who depend on it for transport and trade. Many boats travel from Kisangani to Kinshasa, a distance of about 1750 kilometers. The trip takes between 3-7 weeks depending on the boat's schedule. Congo is planning to hold general elections by July 2006, the first democratic elections in forty years. (Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)