Plagued with violence and corruption since gaining independence in 1960, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became mired in a constitutional crisis when its president refused to heed a two-term limit. With elections now scheduled for December, the stakes could not be higher for this vast nation.
The DRC - formerly called Zaire - is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa. It's the size of Western Europe with a population approaching 80m.
The Congo has more than 200 ethnic groups, including the Salampasu. This warrior was photographed in the 1950s, when the country was still subject to Belgium's notorious colonial rule. An estimated 10 million people died between 1885 - 1908 during the rule of King Leopold II.
Almost two thirds of the population are under 25. On average, people live around 57 years. These street kids are dancing to local tunes in the capital, Kinshasa.
In recent years, conflict has forced five million people out of their homes. Two million children are at risk of starvation. Many others are forced to fight.
The perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide fled to the DRC. Rwanda - roughly the size of Munster - then invaded its vast neighbour. This led to the Congo Wars.
Vast numbers of civilians were caught in this brutal conflict, including these Rwandan refugees who had fled to the DRC, and are seen here being forced out. The Rwandan Army pursued those responsible for the genocide hiding among the refugees into DRC.
When war erupted, regional agendas, alliances and greed pulled a further seven countries in a maelstrom of bloody violence, spawning dozens of interlocking conflicts.
More than five million people died in the Second Congo War (1998 - 2003) making it the deadliest conflict since World War II. The violence continues. This man saw his wife and three children killed in a machete attack.
The DRC has vast mineral reserves. After the war, Zimbabwe took over diamond mines, Angolan soldiers like these were stationed at oil reserves, while Rwanda and Uganda targetted coltan, a hugely profitable mineral used in electronics.
Samuel was 14 when this picture was taken in 2009. He supported his entire family on the $1 per day he got working in a coltan mine. A lot of coltan ends up in mobile phones.
An Ebola outbreak - the country's tenth - has just hit the thickly populated border with Uganda, a war-torn area with millions in squalid refugee camps. This clinic is in the northwest, where the previous outbreak recently struck.
Father Lucien Ambunga (sitting, centre), a Catholic priest who contracted Ebola in that outbreak but survived, is welcomed home by his parishoners.
In 1965, Joseph-Désiré Mobutu took power in a coup backed by the US and Belgium. Seen here with Britain's Queen Elizabeth in 1973, his corrupt and brutal regime ran for decades.
People celebrate the election of Congo's first President, Joseph Kasavubu, in 1960. Since then, every transition of power has been violent.
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The UN deployed peacekeeping troops to Zaire at this time. Nine Irish soldiers were killed following an ambush in Niemba in November 1960. After lying in state, they were buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.
The year Mobutu took power, Che Guevara left the Congo after a failed military campaign aimed at spreading communism. The Cuban revolutionary is seen here sailing towards Tanzania.
In 1974, Kinshasa hosted a hotly anticipated, heavy weight title fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. A record one billion people watched the contest, which resulted in Ali's shock knockout victory.
Joseph Kabila took power in 2001 when his father President Laurent Kabila was assasinated. In 2016, he ignored a two-term limit and refused to stand down, prompting a constitutional crisis and violence.
Congolese refugees arrive in Uganda, having undertaken the perilous two-day journey across Lake Albert. The UN says violence has forced 70,000 Congolese into Uganda so far this year.
Before being able to make that dangerous water crossing, some of those fleeing violence have to travel in an army convoy. A wave of kidnappings make their journey very dangerous. Many do not have the option of protection.
After arguments and delays, polling in the presidential election is now set to take place on 23 December. The Congo is now one of the most corrupt countries on the planet*. This man is registering to vote.
*Transparency International