Joseph Kabila
PER
Kabila Joseph Kabila
Étienne Tshisekedi, who did not immediately respond to Kofi Annan's pleas, is but one of dozens of potential candidate threatening to boycott the polling and discredit what they see as a sure victory for Joseph Kabila, the 34-year-old military commander who took over the presidency when his father was assassinated in 2001. As part of a 2003 peace deal, Mr. Kabila has the job temporarily while four vice presidents representing Congo's divided political landscape check his power. But Mr. Kabila, who formally entered the race this week, has the power of the state behind him, and analysts suggest that the only way he could face trouble is if opposition parties merge.