List of presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

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.

"President of Zaire" redirects here. For the only president while the country is named Zaire, see Mobutu Sese Seko.
Not to be confused with List of presidents of the Republic of the Congo.

Politics of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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The current President is Félix Tshisekedi, since 24 January 2019.

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)

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[1] 5 years, 337 days Military /
Popular Movement of the Revolution

Republic of Zaire (1971–1997)

(2) Mobutu Sese Seko
(1930–1997)[lower-alpha 1]		 1977
1984		 27 October 1971[1] 16 May 1997
(deposed)[2]		 25 years, 201 days Popular Movement of the Revolution

Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–present)

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
4 Joseph Kabila
(born 1971)		 2006
2011		 26 January 2001
Acting since 17 January 2001		 24 January 2019 18 years, 7 days Independent /
People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy
5 Félix Tshisekedi
(born 1963)		 2018 24 January 2019 Incumbent 4 years, 274 days 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 4 years, 274 days
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. "Congo Changes Name To the Zaire Republic". New York Times. Reuters. 28 October 1971. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  2. Howard W. French (17 May 1997). "MOBUTU GIVES UP, LEAVING KINSHASA AND CEDING POWER". New York Times. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
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