Colonial legacy

50 years ago today the Democratic Republic of Congo achieved independence.

There was much fanfare and celebration as the country was steered on a new path by Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba and Joseph Kasavubu, who was elected the country's first president.

Lumumba and Kasavubu had a short honeymoon period before their swift removal.

Their demise heralded half a century of wars, coups and turmoil.

So what will today's festivities highlight in a nation which has seen much sorrow in half a century?

Our correspondent in Kinshasa, Thomas Fessy, assesses the past 50 years.

There have been many critics of this year's celebrations.

Georges Nzongola-Ntalaja is Congolese and a professor of African Studies at the University of North Carolina.

On the line to the US, the BBC's Sophie Ikenye asked him what he made of events in his country.

For many, music is one post-independence legacy the Democratic Republic of Congo can be proud of.

The names of some of the country's best artists trip off the tongue in many corners of the continent whether it be Franco or more contemporary artists like Papa Wemba, Koffi Olomide or Lokua Kanza.

From Nairobi, Dayo Yusuf charts the evolution of Congolese music.