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Citizens, Monitors Pin Hopes on Congo's Elections

The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing for its first democratic elections since 1960. Western nations are spending $400 million to help the polling go smoothly.

The United Nations has dispatched 17,000 troops -- its biggest peacekeeping mission in the world -- to help stabilize the vast country.

The people of Congo hope the elections will help end the corruption and civil war that have plagued the nation for decades.

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Jason Beaubien
Jason Beaubien is NPR's Global Health and Development Correspondent on the Science Desk.