Congo's new leader, Gen Denis Sassou Nguesso, yesterday arrived in the shattered capital Brazzaville from his northern base in Oyo, more than a week after his Cobra militia won a four-month civil war. Gen Sassou Nguesso, a former military ruler who ousted his elected successor, Mr Pascal Lissouba, rolled into the city aboard an armoured Mercedes in a large motorcade, to be hailed by his troops and supporters.
Driving in from the north, he briefly halted the convoy and got out of his car at the Kulundo crossroads, wearing a grey suit, no tie and just a flicker of a smile, to address about 1,000 people who were waving small green, yellow and red national flags they had been given.
"We welcome the liberator with joy," one bystander said, but the general was well protected by his militia, amid reports from informed sources that pockets of resistance were still holding out in the south of the city, the long-time stronghold of former mayor Mr Bernard Kolelas.
The noisy cortege of jeeps, limousines and soldier-filled bush taxis then went on to Gen Sassou Nguesso's residence in the town's eastern Mpila district, which he had abandoned during the fierce fighting which broke out in June.
Elsewhere in the city, residents were still trickling home, patiently queuing at roadblocks set up by military units.
Women carrying possessions on their heads and clutching their children by the hand continued their edgy repossession of Brazzaville, abandoned by many of its residents during heavy artillery battles.
Those returning have sought to avoid uniformed or armed men in the streets, which were heavily shelled during the war and resounded afterwards to the crack of celebratory fireworks and gunfire.