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President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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President of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Presidential Standard
Incumbent
Félix Tshisekedi

since 25 January 2019
ResidencePalais de la Nation, Kinshasa
Term length5 years, renewable once
Inaugural holderJoseph Kasavubu
Formation30 June 1960
Salary51,500 USD annually[1]
WebsiteOfficial website of the President of the DRC

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)

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(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

Republic of the Congo (1960–1964)

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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)

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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)

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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)

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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 1954– 2018 24 January 2019 Incumbent Union for Democracy and Social Progress

Timeline

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Timeline
Félix TshisekediJoseph KabilaLaurent-Désiré KabilaMobutu Sese SekoAntoine GizengaJoseph Kasa-Vubu
  1. Rebel government at Stanleyville, during the Congo Crisis.
  2. Deposed in the 1965 coup d'état.
  3. Previously named Joseph-Désiré Mobutu; changed name on 10 January 1972 due to the policy of Zairianisation.
  4. Deposed in the First Congo War.

References

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  1. "The highest and lowest paid African presidents - Business Daily". Business Daily.
  2. "20 dead in Congo unrest as Kabila clings on to power". IOL. South Africa. Retrieved 3 March 2017.