The Democratic Republic of Congo's ruling party has nominated President Joseph Kabila as its candidate for the November presidential election.

The People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy announced the selection in Kinshasa Sunday, the last day of its convention.

Mr. Kabila first came to power after the 2001 assassination of his father, Laurent Kabila. In 2006, he won Congo's first democratic election.

Mr. Kabila recently pushed through constitutional changes to make the presidential election a one-round, winner-take-all poll. He again will face his main rival from 2006, Jean-Pierre Bemba.

Bemba is on trial for alleged war crimes at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

Earlier this month, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed confidence in Congo's ability to hold a free and fair election.

Congo's 5-year civil war officially ended in 2003, but parts of the country remain volatile, especially the east, where government forces have not been able to subdue militia and rebel groups.