List of heads of state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This is a list of European colonial administrators responsible for the territory of the Congo Free State and Belgian Congo (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo).

International Association of the Congo

Prior to the creation of the Congo Free State, the International Association of the Congo (IAC) had signed treaties with over 300 native Congolese chiefs and in effect exercised sovereignty over a large area of the Congo Basin. The IAC was headquartered in Belgium and run by a committee under the presidency of Maximilien Strauch. Prior to the creation of the office of Administrator-General, authority on the ground in the Congo had been exercised by a Chief of Expedition, who until April 1884 was Henry Morton Stanley.^[1]

Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Position	Term of office			Notes
Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Position	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Notes
	Francis de Winton (1835–1901)	Administrator-General	22 April 1884	1 July 1885	1 year, 70 days

Congo Free State

Monarch (Sovereign of the Congo Free State)

Portrait	Name	Position
Portrait	Name	Position	Reign start	Reign ended
	Leopold II of Belgium (1835–1909)	Sovereign	1 July 1885	15 November 1908

Administrators-General / Governors-General

For the list of the active colonial administrators that administered the Congo Free State from 1885 to 1908, see the List of colonial governors of the Congo Free State and Belgian Congo for further information.

Belgian Congo

Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Position	Term of office			Notes
Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Position	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Notes
	Théophile Wahis (1844–1921)	Governor-General	15 November 1908	20 May 1912	3 years, 187 days
	Félix Fuchs (1858–1928)		20 May 1912	5 January 1916	3 years, 230 days
	Eugène Henry (1862–1930)		5 January 1916	30 January 1921	5 years, 25 days
	Maurice Lippens (1875–1956)		30 January 1921	24 January 1923	1 year, 359 days
	Martin Rutten (1876–1944)		24 January 1923	27 December 1927	4 years, 337 days
	Auguste Tilkens (1869–1949)		27 December 1927	14 September 1934	6 years, 261 days
	Pierre Ryckmans (1891–1959)		14 September 1934	31 December 1946	12 years, 108 days
	Eugène Jungers (1888–1958)		31 December 1946	1 January 1952	5 years, 1 day
	Léo Pétillon (1903–1996)		1 January 1952	12 July 1958	6 years, 192 days
	Hendrik Cornelis (1910–1999)		12 July 1958	30 June 1960	1 year, 354 days

On 1 July 1960, the Belgian Congo became independent as the Republic of the Congo (République du Congo).

This article lists the heads of state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) since the country's independence in 1960.

The current head of state is President Félix Tshisekedi, since 24 January 2019.

Heads of state of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1960–present)

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

Republic of the Congo (1960–1964)
№		Name	Birth–Death	Took office	Left office	Political Party
Presidents
	1	Joseph Kasa-Vubu	1910–1969	1 July 1960	1 August 1961	ABAKO
	2	Antoine Gizenga	1925–2019	1 August 1961	5 August 1961	Parti Solidaire Africain (Gizenga faction)
	3	Joseph Kasa Vubu	1910–1969	5 August 1961	1 August 1964	Independent
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1964–1971)
Presidents
	(3)	Joseph Kasa-Vubu	1910–1969	1 August 1964	24 November 1965^[a]	ABAKO
	4	Joseph-Désiré Mobutu	1930–1997	24 November 1965	27 October 1971	Military / Popular Movement of the Revolution
Republic of Zaire (1971–1997)
President
	(4)	Mobutu Sese Seko^[b]	1930–1997	27 October 1971	16 May 1997^[c]	Popular Movement of the Revolution
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–present)
Presidents
	5	Laurent-Désiré Kabila	1939–2001	17 May 1997	16 January 2001 (assassinated)	Independent
	6	Joseph Kabila	1971–	26 January 2001 Acting since 17 January 2001	24 January 2019	Independent / People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy
	7	Félix Tshisekedi	1963–	24 January 2019	Incumbent	Union for Democracy and Social Progress

The Vice-Presidents were

Azarias Ruberwa (RCD): Policy, Defense and Security Commission. He represents one of the 2 major former rebel groups.
Arthur Z'ahidi Ngoma: Representing civil society
Abdoulaye Yerodia Ndombasi (PPRD): Reconstruction and Development Commission. He represents the pre-peace agreement government.
Jean-Pierre Bemba (MLC): Economic and Financial Commission. He represents one of the 2 major former rebel groups.

Under the 2006 constitution, which was promulgated in February 2006, the position of Vice-President becomes obsolete, after the inauguration of the first President of the DRC, elected democratically by direct universal suffrage. This inauguration occurred on December 6, 2006. Since then, the President of the Senate is designated to step in as interim president.

president of the Senate

The president of the Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the presiding officer in the Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Below is a list of office-holders:

Name	Entered office	Left office
Joseph Iléo	June 1960	September 1960
Victor Koumorico	July 1961	November 1962
Isaac Kalonji	November 1962	October 1965
Sylvestre Mudingayi	October 1965	24 June 1967
Senate abolished	24 June 1967	7 April 2002
Pierre Marini Bodho	7 April 2002	11 May 2007
Léon Kengo Wa Dondo	11 May 2007	5 April 2019
Léon Mamboleo	5 April 2019	27 July 2019
Alexis Thambwe Mwamba	27 July 2019	5 February 2021
Modeste Bahati Lukwebo	2 March 2021

List of officeholders

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Election	Term of office			Political party	President(s) (Term)
No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Election	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Political party	President(s) (Term)
Republic of the Congo (1960–1971)
1		Patrice Lumumba (1925–1961)	1960	24 June 1960 (appointed)	5 September 1960 (dismissed)	73 days	Mouvement National Congolais (Lumumba faction)		Joseph Kasa-Vubu (1960–1965)
2		Joseph Iléo (1921–1994)	—	5 September 1960	20 September 1960	15 days	Mouvement National Congolais (Kalonji faction)
3		Albert Ndele (1930–2023)	—	20 September 1960	3 October 1960	13 days	Independent
4		Justin Bomboko (1928–2014)	—	3 October 1960	9 February 1961	129 days	Independent
—		Antoine Gizenga (1925–2019) (disputed)^[d]	—	13 December 1960	5 August 1961	235 days	Parti Solidaire Africain (Gizenga faction)
(2)		Joseph Iléo (1921–1994)	—	9 February 1961	2 August 1961	174 days	Mouvement National Congolais (Kalonji faction)
5		Cyrille Adoula (1921–1978)	—	2 August 1961	30 June 1964	2 years, 333 days	Mouvement National Congolais
6		Moïse Tshombe (1919–1969)	1965	10 July 1964	13 October 1965	1 year, 95 days	CONACO
7		Évariste Kimba (1926–1966)	—	13 October 1965	25 November 1965	43 days	CONAKAT
8		Léonard Mulamba (1928–1986)^[e]	—	25 November 1965	26 October 1966	335 days	Military		Joseph-Désiré Mobutu (1965–1997)
Post abolished (26 October 1966 – 27 October 1971)
Republic of Zaire (1971–1997)
Post abolished (27 October 1971 – 6 July 1977)
9		Mpinga Kasenda (1937–1994)	1977	6 July 1977^[3]	6 March 1979	1 year, 243 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution		Mobutu Sese Seko (1965–1997)
10		Bo-Boliko Lokonga (1934–2018)	—	6 March 1979	27 August 1980	1 year, 174 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
11		Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond (1938–2003)	—	27 August 1980	18 April 1981^[f]	234 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
12		N'Singa Udjuu (1934–2021)	1982	23 April 1981^[5]	5 November 1982	1 year, 196 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
13		Léon Kengo wa Dondo (born 1935)	—	5 November 1982	31 October 1986	3 years, 360 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
Post vacant (31 October 1986 – 22 January 1987)
14		Mabi Mulumba (born 1941)	1987	22 January 1987	7 March 1988	1 year, 45 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
15		Sambwa Pida Nbagui (1940–1998)	—	7 March 1988	26 November 1988	264 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
(13)		Léon Kengo wa Dondo (born 1935)	—	26 November 1988	4 May 1990	1 year, 159 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
16		Lunda Bululu (born 1942)	—	4 May 1990	1 April 1991	332 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
17		Mulumba Lukoji (1943–1997)	—	1 April 1991	29 September 1991^[g]	181 days	Popular Movement of the Revolution
18		Étienne Tshisekedi (1932–2017)	—	29 September 1991^[8]	1 November 1991	33 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress
19		Bernardin Mungul Diaka (1933–1999)	—	1 November 1991	25 November 1991	24 days	Democratic Assembly for the Republic
(11)		Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond (1938–2003)	—	25 November 1991	15 August 1992	264 days	Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans
(18)		Étienne Tshisekedi (1932–2017)	—	15 August 1992	18 March 1993	215 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress
20		Faustin Birindwa (1943–1999)	—	18 March 1993	14 January 1994	302 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress
(13)		Léon Kengo wa Dondo (born 1935)	—	6 July 1994	2 April 1997	2 years, 270 days	Union of Independent Democrats
(18)		Étienne Tshisekedi (1932–2017)	—	2 April 1997	9 April 1997	7 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress
21		Likulia Bolongo (born 1939)	—	9 April 1997^[9]	16 May 1997^[h]	37 days	Military
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–present)
Post abolished (16 May 1997 – 30 December 2006)
22		Antoine Gizenga (1925–2019)	2006	30 December 2006	10 October 2008	1 year, 285 days	Unified Lumumbist Party		Joseph Kabila (2001–2019)
23		Adolphe Muzito (born 1957)	2011	10 October 2008	6 March 2012	3 years, 148 days	Unified Lumumbist Party
—		Louis Alphonse Koyagialo (1947–2014) Acting	—	6 March 2012	18 April 2012	43 days	Unified Lumumbist Party
24		Matata Ponyo Mapon (born 1964)	—	18 April 2012	17 November 2016	4 years, 213 days	People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy
25		Samy Badibanga (born 1962)	—	17 November 2016	18 May 2017	182 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress
26		Bruno Tshibala (born 1956)	—	18 May 2017	7 September 2019	2 years, 112 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress
26		Bruno Tshibala (born 1956)	2018	18 May 2017	7 September 2019	2 years, 112 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress		Félix Tshisekedi (2019–present)
27		Sylvestre Ilunga (born 1947)	—	7 September 2019	27 April 2021	1 year, 232 days	People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy
28		Sama Lukonde (born 1977)	—	27 April 2021	Incumbent	3 years, 64 days	Future of Congo

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Election	Term of office			Political party	President(s) (Term)
No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Election	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Political party	President(s) (Term)

	26	Vital Kamerhe		1955–	7 April 2019	20 May 2019	Independent

Congo

In 1960 the State of Katanga declared independence from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. United Nations troops crushed it in Operation Grand Slam.

Notes

^ 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.
^ Prime Minister of the Free Republic of the Congo, in rebellion at Stanleyville, during the Congo Crisis.^[2]
^ Chief of Staff since October 1964, until named Prime Minister after coup of 25 November 1965. Removed from premiership 26 October 1966, following pressure from army high command. Mobutu became head of government as well as head of state. Born Kasaï 1930, Joined Force publique 1949, Sergeant Major by 1960, quickly became an officer. 1962 assigned to command the 3rd Groupement at Kisangani. 'Gained international fame for.. defence of Bukavu and for conducting one of the most decisive battles of the 1964 north-east revolution. When Kisangani was recaptured from rebel forces in 1964 he was named military governor of the entire northeastern region.' 'General Mulamba has always enjoyed great popularity with the troops. He is known for his straightforward approach to problems. He has a sizeable farm outside Kinshasa to which, he has said, he would like to retire some day.' (Sydney Taylor, The New Africans, 1967, p.102)
^ Fled into exile while on a private visit to Belgium.^[4]
^ Resigned after the military riots in Kinshasa, during the 1991 Zaire unrest.^[6]^[7]
^ Deposed in the First Congo War.

References

^ Boulger 1898, pp. 258–59.
^ James, Alan (1996). Britain and the Congo Crisis, 1960–63 (illustrated ed.). Springer. pp. xix. ISBN 9781349245284.
^ "Mobutu Appoints a Prime Minister". New York Times. Reuters. 7 July 1977. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
^ "Around the World; Zaire's Premier Resigns; Party Calls Him 'Cowardly'". New York Times. UPI. 18 April 1981. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
^ "AROUND THE WORLD; Ex-Official Is Appointed Prime Minister of Zaire". New York Times. Reuters. 24 April 1981. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
^ "Thousands of Troops on Rampage Of Looting and Violence in Zaire". New York Times. Associated Press. 24 September 1991. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
^ Rone Tempest and Scott Kraft (27 September 1991). "Riots, Anarchy in Zaire Bring Devastation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
^ Kenneth B. Noble (30 September 1991). "Zaire's Dictator Agrees to Share Power With Foe". New York Times. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
^ Howard W. French (10 April 1997). "Mobutu Imposes Military Rule in Zaire". New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2022.

Sources

Boulger, Demetrius Charles (1898). The Congo State: Or, The Growth of Civilisation in Central Africa. London: W. Thacker & Co.
Janssens, Édouard; Cateaux, Albert (1908). Les Belges au Congo: notices biographiques. Antwerp: J. van Hille-De Backer.

[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.

[Congo_Crisis-6] Prime Minister of the Free Republic of the Congo, in rebellion at Stanleyville, during the Congo Crisis.^[2]

[7] Chief of Staff since October 1964, until named Prime Minister after coup of 25 November 1965. Removed from premiership 26 October 1966, following pressure from army high command. Mobutu became head of government as well as head of state. Born Kasaï 1930, Joined Force publique 1949, Sergeant Major by 1960, quickly became an officer. 1962 assigned to command the 3rd Groupement at Kisangani. 'Gained international fame for.. defence of Bukavu and for conducting one of the most decisive battles of the 1964 north-east revolution. When Kisangani was recaptured from rebel forces in 1964 he was named military governor of the entire northeastern region.' 'General Mulamba has always enjoyed great popularity with the troops. He is known for his straightforward approach to problems. He has a sizeable farm outside Kinshasa to which, he has said, he would like to retire some day.' (Sydney Taylor, The New Africans, 1967, p.102)

[10] Fled into exile while on a private visit to Belgium.^[4]

[14] Resigned after the military riots in Kinshasa, during the 1991 Zaire unrest.^[6]^[7]

[17] Deposed in the First Congo War.

[FOOTNOTEBoulger1898258–59-1] Boulger 1898, pp. 258–59.

[5] James, Alan (1996). Britain and the Congo Crisis, 1960–63 (illustrated ed.). Springer. pp. xix. ISBN 9781349245284.

[8] "Mobutu Appoints a Prime Minister". New York Times. Reuters. 7 July 1977. Retrieved 15 April 2022.

[9] "Around the World; Zaire's Premier Resigns; Party Calls Him 'Cowardly'". New York Times. UPI. 18 April 1981. Retrieved 25 October 2022.

[11] "AROUND THE WORLD; Ex-Official Is Appointed Prime Minister of Zaire". New York Times. Reuters. 24 April 1981. Retrieved 15 April 2022.

[12] "Thousands of Troops on Rampage Of Looting and Violence in Zaire". New York Times. Associated Press. 24 September 1991. Retrieved 1 October 2021.

[13] Rone Tempest and Scott Kraft (27 September 1991). "Riots, Anarchy in Zaire Bring Devastation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 April 2022.

[15] Kenneth B. Noble (30 September 1991). "Zaire's Dictator Agrees to Share Power With Foe". New York Times. Retrieved 25 October 2022.

[16] Howard W. French (10 April 1997). "Mobutu Imposes Military Rule in Zaire". New York Times. Retrieved 15 April 2022.

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