President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
| President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
|---|---|
 Presidential Standard | |
| Residence | Palais de la Nation, Kinshasa |
| Term length | 5 years, renewable once |
| Inaugural holder | Joseph Kasavubu |
| Formation | 30 June 1960 |
| Salary | 51,500 USD annually[1] |
| Website | Official website of the President of the DRC |
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The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (French: Président de la République démocratique du Congo, Swahili: Rais wa Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo, Lingala: Mokonzi wa Republíki ya Kongó Demokratíki), is the head of state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
The constitutional mandate of the current president, Joseph Kabila, was due to expire on 20 December 2016 but was extended by him until the end of 2017.[2] He was replaced by Félix Tshisekedi in 2019.
Article 72 of the Congolese constitution states that the President must be a natural-born citizen – or more accurately: French: citoyen d'origine – of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and at least 30 years of age. Additionally, the President must be free of any legal constraints on their civil and political rights.
Heads of state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1960–present)[change | change source]
(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)
Republic of the Congo (1960–1964)[change | change source] | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Name | Lifespan | Elected | Took office | Left office | Political party | ||
| Presidents | ||||||||
| 1 | Joseph Kasa-Vubu | 
|
1890–1969 | — | 1 July 1960 | 1 August 1964 | ABAKO | |
| — | Antoine Gizenga (disputed)[a] |
|
1916–2019 | — | 31 March 1961 | 5 August 1961 | Parti Solidaire Africain (Gizenga faction) | |
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1964–1971)[change | change source] | ||||||||
| Presidents | ||||||||
| (1) | Joseph Kasa-Vubu |
|
1890–1969 | — | 1 August 1964 | 24 November 1965[b] | ABAKO | |
| 2 | Joseph-Désiré Mobutu | 
|
1917–1997 | 1970 | 24 November 1965 | 27 October 1971 | Military / Popular Movement of the Revolution | |
Republic of Zaire (1971–1997)[change | change source] | ||||||||
| President | ||||||||
| (2) | Mobutu Sese Seko[c] |
|
19317–1997 | 1977 1984 |
27 October 1971 | 16 May 1997[d] | Popular Movement of the Revolution | |
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–present)[change | change source] | ||||||||
| Presidents | ||||||||
| 3 | Laurent-Désiré Kabila | 1927–2001 | — | 17 May 1997 | 16 January 2001 (assassinated) |
Independent | ||
| 4 | Joseph Kabila | 
|
1960– | 2006 2011 |
26 January 2001 Acting since 17 January 2001 |
24 January 2019 | Independent / People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy | |
| 5 | Félix Tshisekedi | .jpg)
|
1954– | 2018 | 24 January 2019 | Incumbent | Union for Democracy and Social Progress | |
Timeline[change | change source]
Notes[change | change source]
- ↑ Rebel government at Stanleyville, during the Congo Crisis.
- ↑ Deposed in the 1965 coup d'état.
- ↑ Previously named Joseph-Désiré Mobutu; changed name on 10 January 1972 due to the policy of Zairianisation.
- ↑ Deposed in the First Congo War.
References[change | change source]
- ↑ "The highest and lowest paid African presidents - Business Daily". Business Daily.
- ↑ "20 dead in Congo unrest as Kabila clings on to power". IOL. South Africa. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
