Yesterday, Congo had its first election in 46 years. Millions turned out and there wasn't much violence. This is nothing short of amazing. The Congo has been the most consistently lawless country in Africa, and hence, the world, for nearly half a century. Its huge - in the middle of sub-Saharan Africa - and bordering something like 12 countries, including, most notably, Rwanda (genocide), Sudan (civil war/genocide), Angola (limbs for diamonds), and Kenya (rampant corruption, even for Africa). Needless to say, the borders are very porous, with numerous militias fighting over mineral wealth and ethnicity, provoking violence in a number of countries. (Many of the people responsible for the Rwandan genocide now live in Congo). Moreover, all of its leaders have been ruthless, and in quintessential African form, have taken their country's immense wealth for themselves, placing billions in offshore bank accounts.
If neo-cons really believed in creating democracy as a "stabilizing regional force," (and not merely in using democracy as a subterfuge for imperialism), then the Congo would be the place to do it. None of the bordering countries will ever have a chance, until the Congo is no longer a cess-pool of violence and corruption. In the past few years, it has stabilized some. The fallout from today's election will be the best predicter of its future.
Of course, the Congo may have taken a completely different course if Belgium and the United Nations hadn't assassinated the last democratically elected president, Patrice Lumumba, because he was seen as being too socialist. Thanks a lot UN.