This is the comprehensive list of all the individuals who have served the Democratic Republic of Congo as the president. Since gaining independence in 1960, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has had five presidents.
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Here’s the complete list:
| Name | Tenure | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Kasavubu | 1960 - 1965 | ABAKO |
| Mobutu Sese Seko | 1965 - 1997 | MPR |
| Laurent-Désiré Kabila | 1997 - 2001 | AFDL |
| Joseph Kabila | 2001 - 2019 | PPRD |
| Félix Tshisekedi | 2019 - Present | UDPS |
Who Was The First President Of The Democratic Republic Of Congo?
The first President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo was Joseph Kasa-Vubu. After the Congo gained independence from Belgium in 1960, the country faced political instability.
In the new elections, Kasa-Vubu’s party, ABAKO, did not win an outright victory. As part of a political compromise, Patrice Lumumba, the leader of the Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), was appointed Prime Minister, while Kasa-Vubu became the President.
Kasa-Vubu was officially sworn in as President on June 27, 1960. At the beginning of Congo’s independence, Kasa-Vubu’s leadership was seen as a balance to Lumumba’s more left-wing views.
While Lumumba wanted a strong central government, Kasa-Vubu supported a more decentralized system, giving more power to the provinces.
Despite being the head of state, Kasa-Vubu’s role was mostly ceremonial and less influential than Lumumba’s position as Prime Minister.
The country then faced political and military challenges. Tensions between Kasa-Vubu and Lumumba grew after Kasa-Vubu accused Lumumba of having communist sympathies.
On September 5, 1960, Kasa-Vubu dissolved Lumumba’s government, and Lumumba responded by dismissing Kasa-Vubu. This led to a deadlock, which ended on September 14, 1960, when Army Commander Joseph-Désiré Mobutu took power and arrested Lumumba.
After Lumumba’s death, Kasa-Vubu continued as President, but his leadership was weak, and he faced several changes in government.
In 1965, Mobutu again seized power, this time removing Kasa-Vubu and declaring himself head of state. Kasa-Vubu spent his final years under house arrest before retiring to his farm, where he passed away in 1969.
Who Is The Current President Of The Democratic Republic Of Congo?
The current President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is Félix Tshisekedi. He took office on January 24, 2019, following a historic election that saw him succeed Joseph Kabila.
Tshisekedi’s presidency has been seen as an effort to address political challenges and the country’s long-standing issues. After taking office, Tshisekedi focused on building a political coalition with Kabila’s party.
This included the appointment of a prime minister from Kabila’s camp. In March 2019, Tshisekedi pardoned nearly 700 prisoners, including political opponents of Kabila, and allowed exiles to return.
In the same year, he worked through challenges like the Ebola outbreak and the conflict in the eastern region of the country.
In 2021, Tshisekedi ended his coalition with Kabila’s allies and appointed Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde as the new prime minister. He has also prioritized infrastructure development, education, and health reforms.
Tshisekedi has been vocal about the need to renegotiate mining contracts, particularly those signed with China during Kabila’s presidency, to ensure the DRC benefits more from its vast mineral wealth.
In addition, he has committed to fighting deforestation and addressing environmental concerns, such as the DRC’s role in global climate discussions.
Tshisekedi was re-elected in December 2023, securing 73% of the vote, though the results were contested by opposition candidates.
He has continued to work on strengthening international relations, including visits to China and key discussions with global leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron.
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Congo President Assassinated
Laurent-Désiré Kabila, born on November 27, 1939, was the third president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), serving as president from 1997 until his assassination in 2001.
He became a notable figure in the 1960s during the Congo Crisis, opposing the rule of Mobutu Sese Seko. Kabila was involved in the Simba Rebellion and led a Marxist movement in the 1980s.
By the mid-1990s, he became the leader of the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (AFDL), which was supported by Rwanda and Uganda.
This group invaded Zaire (now the DRC) and overthrew Mobutu during the First Congo War in 1997. Kabila then declared himself president and renamed the country back to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
He faced many challenges, while initially receiving praise for removing Mobutu, his leadership soon became criticized for being similar to Mobutu’s.
He was seen as authoritarian and corrupt, with accusations of human rights abuses. Tensions grew as his former allies, Rwanda and Uganda, turned against him, leading to the Second Congo War in 1998.
Kabila struggled to hold onto power, but with support from Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, he managed to maintain control.
On January 16, 2001, Kabila was assassinated in his office by one of his bodyguards. He was taken to Zimbabwe for medical treatment but died two days later on January 18.
His son, Joseph Kabila, succeeded him as president. The investigation into his death led to the trial of many people, including his bodyguards, but many believed the trial was flawed.
In 2021, President Félix Tshisekedi pardoned those convicted of the murder, and the individuals were released after years of imprisonment.
