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This is a list of presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly the Republic of the Congo and Zaire) since the country's independence in 1960.

The current President is Félix Tshisekedi, since 24 January 2019.[1]

List of officeholders

(Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office)

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

Republic of the Congo (1960–1971)[edit]

1 Joseph Kasa-Vubu
(1910–1969) 		1960 1 July 1960 24 November 1965
(deposed) 		5 years, 146 days ABAKO
2 Joseph-Désiré Mobutu
(1930–1997) 		1970 24 November 1965 27 October 1971[2] 5 years, 337 days Military /
Popular Movement of the Revolution

Republic of Zaire (1971–1997)[edit]

(2) Mobutu Sese Seko
(1930–1997)[a] 		1977
1984 		27 October 1971[2] 16 May 1997
(deposed)[3] 		25 years, 201 days Popular Movement of the Revolution

Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–present)[edit]

3 Laurent-Désiré Kabila
(1939–2001) 		— 17 May 1997 16 January 2001
(assassinated) 		3 years, 244 days Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo /
Independent
— Joseph Kabila
(born 1971) 		— 17 January 2001 26 January 2001 9 days Independent /
People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy
4 2006
2011 		26 January 2001 24 January 2019 18 years, 7 days
5 Félix Tshisekedi
(born 1963) 		2018
2023 		24 January 2019 Incumbent 5 years, 1 day Union for Democracy and Social Progress

Timeline

Félix TshisekediJoseph KabilaLaurent-Désiré KabilaMobutu Sese SekoJoseph Kasa-Vubu

Rank by time in office

Rank President Time in office
1 Mobutu Sese Seko 31 years, 173 days
2 Joseph Kabila 18 years, 7 days
3 Joseph Kasa-Vubu 5 years, 146 days
4 Félix Tshisekedi 5 years, 1 day
5 Laurent-Désiré Kabila 3 years, 245 days

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Previously named Joseph-Désiré Mobutu; changed name on 10 January 1972 due to the policy of Zairianisation.

References

  1. ^ Makumeno, Emery (31 December 2023). "DR Congo election: President Felix Tshisekedi declared landslide winner". BBC. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Congo Changes Name To the Zaire Republic". New York Times. Reuters. 28 October 1971. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  3. ^ Howard W. French (17 May 1997). "MOBUTU GIVES UP, LEAVING KINSHASA AND CEDING POWER". New York Times. Retrieved 10 October 2022.

External links

President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (list)
Democratic Republic of the Congo articles
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