Congo (Kinshasa)
 

21 Jun 1877 - 30 Jun 1960	1 Jul 1960 - 1 Jul 1963	1 Jul 1963 - 1 Dec 1966
1 Dec 1966 - 21 Nov 1971	21 Nov 1971 - 17 May 1997	17 May 1997 - 18 Feb 2006
Adopted 18 Feb 2006

Map of Congo (Kinshasa) Hear National Anthem "Debout Congolaise" (Arise Congolese) 30 Jun 1960 - 27 Oct 1971; re-adopted 17 May 1997 Former National Anthem "La Zaïroise" (The Zairian) (27 Oct 1971-17 May 1997) --------------------------------------  Belgian Congo Anthem "Naar Wijd en Zijd"/"Vers  l'Avenir" (To Far and wide/ To the Future) (1905-1960) Constitution (18 Feb 2006; in French) ---------------------------------- Zaire Constitution (19 Nov 1971 - 17 May 1997; in French) Capital: Kinshasa (Léopoldville 1926-1 Jul 1966; Boma 1 May 1886 - 1 Nov 1929; Vivi Jul 1885-1 May 1886) Currency: Congolese Franc (CDF); 1993-98 New Zaïre (ZRN); 1967-93 Zaïre (ZRZ); 1960-67 Congolese Franc (CDG); 1885-1960 Belgian Congo Franc (CBEF) National Holiday: 30 Jun (1960) Fête de l'Indépendance (Independence Day) -------------------------------------- Holiday 1885-1908: 1 Jul (1885) State Declaration Day Population: 85,281,024 (2018) GDP: $68.6 billion (2017) Exports: $10.9 billion (2017) Imports: $10.8 billion (2017) Ethnic groups: Luba 18%, Kongo (all Bantu) 16.1%, Mongo 13.5%, and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) 6.1%, Rwanda 10.3%, Bangi and Ngale 5.8%, Rundi 3.8%, Teke 2.7%, Boa 2.3%, Chokwe 1.8%, Lugbara 1.6%, Banda 1.4%, other 16.6% (1983) Total Armed Forces: 151,251 (2010) MONUSCO UN Force: 17,753 (2023) Merchant marine: 33 ships (2017)  Religions: Roman Catholic 55.8%, Pentecostal 15.5%, Protestant 12.4%, other Christian 10.4%, traditional beliefs 2.5%, Muslim 1.5%, Anglican 0.8%, other and none 1%  (2015) International Organizations/Treaties: 1885 - 1960: ICRM, IUOTO, ITU, UPU, WMO (associate); from 1960: ACP, AfCFTA, AfDB, APM, AU, BTWC, CCM (signatory), CEEAC, CEPGL, COMESA, CTBT, CWC, EAC, EITI, ENMOD (signatory), ESCR, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, IRENA (signatory), ISA, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, LCBC (observer), MIGA, NAM, NPT, NTBT, OIF, OPCW, OST (signatory), PCA, SADC, UN, UNCLOS, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNFCC-KP, UNFCC-PA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Congo Index Chronology 19 Sep 1876                International Association for the Exploration and                              Civilization of Central Africa (Association                              Internationale pour l'exploration et la                              Civilisation de l'Afrique Centrale) founded. 25 Nov 1878                Congo colonization, funded by the King of Belgium,                              begins. Committee for Studies of the Upper Congo                              (Comité d'études du Haut-Congo)(CEHC) established. 17 Nov 1879                International Association of the Congo (Association                              Internationale du Congo)(AIC) founded replacing                              the CEHC.  1 Dec 1881                Léopoldville, later named Kinshasa, founded by                              explorer Henry Morton Stanley (b. 1841 - d. 1904). 23 Feb 1885                Sovereign status of the International Association                              of the Congo recognized by the Berlin Conference. 29 May 1885                Independent State of the Congo (L'État Indépendant                              du Congo)("Congo Free State"), with the King of                              Belgium Leopold II as sovereign). 1892 - 25 Feb 1895         Ubangui-Bomu territory claimed by the Congo                              Free State. 15 Nov 1908                Annexation by Belgium (Belgian Congo). 28 May 1940 -  8 Sep 1944  Administration loyal to the Belgian government                               in exile during German occupation of Belgium. 30 Jun 1960                Independence (Republic of the Congo [République du                              Congo][the Constitution of 1960 referred to the                              polity exclusively as the Congo]). 11 Jul 1960 - 14 Jan 1963  Secession of Katanga. 13 Dec 1960 -  5 Aug 1961  Antoine Gizenga proclaims a government in rebellion                              at Stanleyville.  9 Aug 1960 - 30 Dec 1961  South Kasai declares itself sovereign.  1 Aug 1964                Democratic Republic of the Congo (République                              Démocratique du Congo).  7 Sep 1964 - Dec 1965     People's Republic of the Congo is proclaimed in                              dissidence at Stanleyville. 29 Oct 1971                Republic of Zaire (République du Zaïre) 17 May 1997                Democratic Republic of the Congo (République                              Démocratique du Congo).  2 Aug 1998 -  2 Apr 2003  Rebellion in eastern Congo led by RDC (see below). Provinces Traditional States  UN Operations (1960-1964, from 2000) Rebel Government at Stanleyville (1964-1965) Rebel Governments (1998-2003) Arab Military Territory (1887-1894) Historical Maps of Congo Map of Congo Crisis 1960 - 1964 Map of Zaire (1997) Map of 2006 Proposed Provinces

Secretaries-general of the International African Association (in Brussels)
19 Sep 1876 - 15 Nov 1878  Jules Xavier Charles Joseph        (b. 1835 - d. 1917)
                             Léonard, graaf Greindl 
15 Nov 1878 - 17 Nov 1879  Maximilien Charles Ferdinand       (b. 1819 - d. 1911)
                             Strauch
Chairman (from 23 Feb 1885, President) of the International Association
of the Congo (in Brussels)
17 Nov 1879 - 29 May 1885  Maximilien Charles Ferdinand       (s.a.)
                             Strauch
Sovereign¹
29 May 1885 - 15 Nov 1908  Léopold II                         (b. 1835 - d. 1909)
                             (also in Belgium 17 Dec 1865 - 17 Dec 1909)

Plenipotentiary of the International African Association
1879 - 1884                Henry Morton Stanley               (b. 1841 - d. 1904)
Commandants of the Station at Karema (leading station)
12 Aug 1879 - Dec 1880     Ernest François Cambier            (b. 1844 - d. 1909)
 5 Dec 1880 - 25 Feb 1882  Guillaume Jules Arthur Ramaeckers  (b. 1848 - d. 1882)
25 Feb 1882 - 19 Sep 1882  Jérôme Becker                      (b. 1850 - d. 1912)
19 Sep 1882 - Dec 1885     Émile Pierre Joseph Storms         (b. 1846 - d. 1918) 
23 Apr 1883 - Sep 1883     Richard Böhm (acting for Storms)   (b. 1854 - d. 1884)
Administrators-general
22 Apr 1884 - Apr 1886     Sir Francis Walter de Winton       (b. 1835 - d. 1901)
22 Apr 1884 - Jun 1884     Sir Frederic John Goldsmid         (b. 1818 - d. 1908)
                             (acting for de Winton)
25 Sep 1885 - Apr 1886     Camille Janssen                    (b. 1837 - d. 1926)
                             (acting for de Winton)
30 Jul 1886 - 17 Apr 1887  Camille Janssen                    (s.a.)
Governors-general
17 Apr 1887 -  1 Jul 1892  Camille Janssen                    (s.a.)
31 Jan 1888 - Jan 1889     Herman Ledeganck                   (b. 1841 - d. 1908)
                             (acting for Janssen)
Jan 1889 - 18 May 1889     Henri Ernest Gondry                (b. 1845 - d. 1889)
                             (acting for Janssen)
20 Apr 1890 - 24 Mar 1891  Camille Aimé Coquilhat             (b. 1853 - d. 1891)
                             (acting for Janssen)
15 Apr 1891 - 20 May 1912  Théophile Théodore Joseph Antoine  (b. 1844 - d. 1921)
                             Wahis, (from 24 Dec 1901) baron Wahis
                             (acting for Janssen to 1 Jul 1892)
 4 Sep 1896 - 1897         Francis Ernest Joseph Marie Dhanis (b. 1861 - d. 1909)
                             (acting for Wahis)
11 Apr 1897 -  1 Dec 1897  Émile Wangermée (acting for Wahis) (b. 1855 - d. 1924)
 1 Dec 1897 - 25 Oct 1898  Alphonse Van Gele                  (b. 1848 - d. 1939)
                             (acting for Wahis)
25 Dec 1902 -  4 Mar 1904  Félix Alexandre Fuchs              (b. 1858 - d. 1928)
                             (interim, acting for Wahis)
13 Feb 1904 -  9 Mar 1905  Paul Marie Costermans              (b. 1860 - d. 1905)
                             (acting for Wahis)
Nov 1905 - Jan 1907        Albert Bruno Amédée Lantonnois van (b. 1852 - d. 1934)
                             Rode (acting for Wahis)
20 May 1912 -  5 Jan 1916  Félix Alexandre Fuchs              (s.a.)
 5 Jan 1916 - 30 Jan 1921  Eugène Joseph Marie Henry          (b. 1862 - d. 1930)
30 Jan 1921 - 24 Jan 1923  Maurice Eugène Auguste Lippens     (b. 1875 - d. 1956)
24 Jan 1923 - 27 Dec 1927  Martin Joseph Marie René Rutten    (b. 1876 - d. 1944)
27 Dec 1927 - 14 Sep 1934  Auguste Constant Tilkens           (b. 1869 - d. 1949)
12 Nov 1929 - 24 Jul 1930  Charles Marie Nestor Duchesne      (b. 1881 - d. 1945)
                             (acting for Tilkens)
14 Sep 1934 - 31 Dec 1946  Pierre Marie Joseph Ryckmans       (b. 1891 - d. 1959)
18 Jun 1940 - 29 Apr 1942  Jozef Albert de Vleeschauwer       (b. 1897 - d. 1971)
                            (administrator-general of Belgian Congo and Ruanda-Urundi;
                             in Congo 5 Dec 1940-22 Feb 1941, Jul 1941-29 Oct 1942)   
 1 Jan 1947 -  1 Jan 1952  Eugène Jacques Pierre              (b. 1888 - d. 1958)
                             Louis Jungers
 1 Jan 1952 - 12 Jul 1958  Léon Antoine Marie Pétillon        (b. 1903 - d. 1996)
12 Jul 1958 - 30 Jun 1960  Henri Arthur Adolf Marie           (b. 1910 - d. 1999)
                             Christopher Cornélis
Presidents
27 Jun 1960 - 25 Nov 1965  Joseph Kasa-Vubu (Kasavubu)        (b. 1910? - d. 1969) ABAKO
                             (style Head of State also used to 1 Aug 1964)
31 Mar 1961 -  5 Aug 1961  Antoine Gizenga                    (b. 1925 - d. 2019)  MNC-L
                             (Head of State, in rebellion, at Stanleyville)
25 Nov 1965 - 17 May 1997  Joseph Désiré Mobutu               (b. 1930 - d. 1997) Mil;1967 MRP
                             (from 10 Jan 1972, Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu Wa Za Banga)
17 May 1997 - 16 Jan 2001  Laurent Désiré Kabila              (b. 1939 - d. 2001)  AFDL
17 Jan 2001 - 24 Jan 2019  Joseph Kabila Kabange              (b. 1971)         AFDL;2002 PPRD
                             (interim to 26 Jan 2001)
24 Jan 2019 -              Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo (b. 1963)            UDPS
 

Chief ministers (administrators-general of the Department of the Interior to
20 Oct 1891, secretary of state of the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Interior;
18 Feb 1901, secretary general of Department of the Interior)(in Brussels)
 6 May 1885 - 30 Aug 1888  Maximilien Charles Ferdinand       (s.a.)               Non-party
                             Strauch (acting to 30 Oct 1885)
30 Aug 1888 - 19 Jun 1890  Camille Aimé Coquilhat             (s.a.)               Non-party
19 Jun 1890 - 18 Feb 1901  Stanislas Marie Léon Édmond van    (b. 1852 - d. 1925)  Non-party
                             Eetvelde, (from 31 Dec 1897,
                             baron van Eetvelde)
18 Feb 1901 - 14 Nov 1908  Charles Liebrechts                 (b. 1858 - d. 1938)  Non-party
Secretary of State for the Interior (in Brussels)
18 Feb 1901 - 22 May 1906  Stanislas Marie Léon Édmond,       (s.a.)               Non-party
                             baron van Eetvelde
Prime ministers
24 Jun 1960 -  5 Sep 1960² Patrice Emery Lumumba              (b. 1925 - d. 1961)  MNC-L
 5 Sep 1960 - 20 Sep 1960  Joseph Iléo (1st time)             (b. 1921 - d. 1994)  MNC-K 
Chairmen of the Board of Commissioners-general
20 Sep 1960 -  3 Oct 1960  Albert Ndele Mbamu                 (b. 1930)            ABAKO
 4 Oct 1960 -  9 Feb 1961  Justin Marie Bomboko               (b. 1928 - d. 2014)  UNIMO
Prime ministers
13 Dec 1960 -  5 Aug 1961  Antoine Gizenga                    (s.a.)               MNC-L
                             (in rebellion, at Stanleyville)
 9 Feb 1961 -  2 Aug 1961  Joseph Iléo (2nd time)             (s.a.)               MNC-K
 2 Aug 1961 - 30 Jun 1964  Cyrille Adoula                     (b. 1921 - d. 1978)  Non-party
10 Jul 1964 - 13 Oct 1965  Moïse Kapenda Tshombe              (b. 1919 - d. 1969)  CONAKAT
18 Oct 1965 - 14 Nov 1965  Évariste Kimba                     (b. 1926 - d. 1966)  BALUBAKAT
25 Nov 1965 - 26 Oct 1966  Léonard Mulumba                    (b. 1928 - d. 1986)  Mil
First state commissioners (prime ministers)
 6 Jul 1977 -  6 Mar 1979  Mpinga Kasenga                     (b. 1937 - d. 1994)  MPR
 6 Mar 1979 - 27 Aug 1980  Bo-Boliko Lokonga Monse Mihambo    (b. 1934 - d. 2018)  MPR
27 Aug 1980 - 23 Apr 1981  Nguza Karl-I-Bond (1st time)       (b. 1938 - d. 2003)  MPR
23 Apr 1981 -  5 Nov 1982  N'singa Udjuu Ongwabeki Untubu     (b. 1934 - d. 2021)  MPR
 5 Nov 1982 - 31 Oct 1986  Kengo Wa Dondo (1st time)          (b. 1935)            MPR
                             (Joseph-Léon Lubicz)
31 Oct 1986 - 22 Jan 1987  Vacant
22 Jan 1987 -  7 Mar 1988  Mabi Mulumba                       (b. 1941)            MPR
 7 Mar 1988 - 26 Nov 1988  Sambwa Pida Nbagui                 (b. 1940 - d. 1998)  MPR
26 Nov 1988 -  4 May 1990  Kengo Wa Dondo (2nd time)          (s.a.)               MPR
 4 May 1990 -  1 Apr 1991  Lunda Bululu                       (b. 1942)            MPR
 1 Apr 1991 - 29 Sep 1991  Mulumba Lukoji                     (b. 1943 - d. 1997)  MPR
29 Sep 1991 -  1 Nov 1991  Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba      (b. 1932 - d. 2017)  UDPS
                             (1st time) 
 1 Nov 1991 - 25 Nov 1991  Bernardin Mungul Diaka             (b. 1933 - d. 1999)  RDR
25 Nov 1991 - 15 Aug 1992  Nguza Karl-I-Bond (2nd time)       (s.a.)               UFERI
15 Aug 1992 - 18 Mar 1993³ Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba      (s.a.)               UDPS
                             (2nd time) 
18 Mar 1993 - 14 Jan 1994  Faustin Birindwa                   (b. 1943 - d. 1999)  UDPS
 6 Jul 1994 -  2 Apr 1997  Kengo Wa Dondo (3rd time)          (s.a.)               UDI
 2 Apr 1997 -  9 Apr 1997  Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba      (s.a.)               UDPS
                             (3rd time) 
 9 Apr 1997 - 16 May 1997  Likulia Bolongo                    (b. 1939)            Non-party
16 May 1997 - 30 Dec 2006  Post abolished
Prime ministers
30 Dec 2006 - 10 Oct 2008  Antoine Gizenga                    (s.a.)               PALU
10 Oct 2008 -  6 Mar 2012  Adolphe Muzito                     (b. 1957)            PALU
 6 Mar 2012 - 18 Apr 2012  Louis Koyagialo (acting)           (b. 1947 - d. 2014)  PPRD
18 Apr 2012 - 20 Dec 2016  Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon        (b. 1964)            PPRD
20 Dec 2016 - 18 May 2017  Samy Badibanga Ntita               (b. 1962)            IPDD
18 May 2017 -  7 Sep 2019  Bruno Tshibala Nzenze              (b. 1956)            UDPS
 7 Sep 2019 - 27 Apr 2021  Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba         (b. 1947)            PPRD
27 Apr 2021 - 12 Jun 2024  Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge    (b. 1977)            ACO
12 Jun 2024 -              Judith Suminwa Tuluka (f)          (b. 1967)            UPDS
 

U.N. Operations in the Congo 

Officers-in-charge (to 25 May 1961, Special Representatives of the Secretary-General)
of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC)
13 Jul 1960 - 27 Aug 1960  Ralph Johnson Bunche (U.S.)        (b. 1904 - d. 1971)
27 Aug 1960 -  6 Sep 1960  Andrew Wellington Cordier (U.S.)   (b. 1901 - d. 1975)
 8 Sep 1960 - 25 May 1961  Rajeshwar Dayal (India)            (b. 1909 - d. 1999)
 3 Nov 1960 - 23 Nov 1960  Indar Jit Rikhye (India)           (b. 1920 - d. 2007)
                             (acting for Daya)
10 Mar 1961 - 20 May 1961  Mekki Abbas (The Sudan)            (b. 1911 - d. 1979)
                             (acting for Daya)
20 May 1961 - 10 Feb 1962  Carl Sture Linnér (Sweden)         (b. 1917 - d. 2010)
10 Feb 1962 -  1 May 1963  Robert Kweku Atta Gardiner (Ghana) (b. 1914 - d. 1994)
 1 May 1963 - 30 Apr 1964  Max H. Dorsinville (Haiti)         (b. 1910 - d. 2005)
30 Apr 1964 - 30 Jun 1964  Bibiano Fernández Osorio-Tafall    (b. 1902 - d. 1990)
                             (Mexico)
Secretary General's Special Envoy for the Democratic Republic of the Congo Peace Process
 5 Apr 1999 - 11 Dec 1999  Moustapha Niasse (Senegal)         (b. 1939)
Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and Chiefs of Mission of
the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC)
11 Dec 1999 - Aug 2001     Kamel Morjane (Tunisia)            (b. 1948)
Sep 2001 -  1 Jul 2003     Amos Namanga Ngongi (Cameroon)     (b. 1945)
 1 Jul 2003 -  9 Jan 2008  William Lacy Swing (U.S.)          (b. 1934 - d. 2021)
 9 Jan 2008 - 30 Jun 2010  Alan Claude Doss (U.K.)            (b. 1945)
Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and Heads of the United Nations
Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)
17 Jul 2010 - 26 Jun 2013  Roger Allen Meece (U.S.)           (b. 1949)
27 Jun 2013 - 13 Aug 2013  Moustapha Soumaré (Mali)(acting)   (b. 1952)
13 Aug 2013 - 31 Oct 2015  Martin Kobler (Germany)            (b. 1953)
31 Oct 2015 - 16 Nov 2015  David Gressly (U.S.)(acting)       (b. 1956)
16 Nov 2015 - Jan 2018     Maman Sambo Sidikou (Niger)        (b. 1949)
11 Feb 2018 - Feb 2021     Leila Zerrougui (f) (Algeria)      (b. 1956)
Feb 2021 -                 Bintou Keita (f)(Guinea)           (b. 1958)

Force Commanders of the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC)
Aug 1960 - Dec 1960        Carl Carlsson von Horn (Sweden)    (b. 1903 - d. 1989)
Jan 1961 - Mar 1962        Seán MacEoin (Ireland)             (b. 1893 - d. 1973)
Apr 1962 - Jul 1963        Kebede Gebre (Ethiopia)            (d. 1974)
Aug 1963 - Dec 1963        Christian Roy Kaldager (Norway)    (b. 1908 - d. 2005)
Jan 1964 - Jun 1964        Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-   (b. 1924 - d. 1966)
                             Ironsi (Nigeria)
Force Commanders UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC)
(from 1 Jul 2010, UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [MONUSCO])
 1 Mar 2000 -  1 Jan 2004  Mountaga Diallo (Senegal)          (b. 1942 - d. 2017)
 1 Jan 2004 - 28 Feb 2005  Samaila Iliya (Nigeria)            (b. 1952)
 4 Apr 2005 -  Oct 2008    Babacar Gaye (1st time)(Senegal)   (b. 1951)
Oct 2008 - Nov 2008        Vicente Díaz de Villegas (Spain)   (b. 1948)
Nov 2008 -  9 Jul 2010     Babacar Gaye (2nd time)(Senegal)   (s.a.)
 9 Jul 2010 - 31 Mar 2013  Chander Prakash Wadhwa (India)     (b. 1953)
 4 Jun 2013 -  2 Dec 2015  Carlos Alberto dos Santos Cruz     (b. 1952)
                             (Brazil)
29 Dec 2015 - 31 Jan 2018  Derrick Mbuyiselo Mgwebi           (b. 1956)
                             (South Africa)
31 Jan 2018 - 14 May 2018  Bernard Commins (France)(acting)
14 May 2018 - 31 Oct 2019  Elias Rodrigues Martins Filho      (b. 1960)
                             (Brazil)
31 Oct 2019 - 28 Jan 2020  Thierry Lion (France)(1st time)    (b. 1960)
                              (acting)
28 Jan 2020 -  2 Apr 2021  Ricardo Augusto Ferreira Costa     (b. 1963)
                             Neves (Brazil)
 2 Apr 2021 - 28 May 2021  Thierry Lion (France)(2nd time)    (s.a.)
                             (acting)
28 May 2021 - 28 Feb 2023  Marcos de Sá Affonso da Costa
                             (Brazil)
28 Feb 2023 -              Otávio Rodrigues de Miranda Filho
                             (Brazil)

East Africa Community Force in eastern Congo

Commander of the East Africa Community Regional Force (EACRF)(in Goma)
16 Nov 2022 - 27 Apr 2023  Jeff Nyagah (Kenya)

 ¹Style of the ruler 29 May 1885 - 15 Nov 1908: Souverain de l'État Indépendant du Congo ("Sovereign of the Independent State of the Congo"). Normally as part of the executive formula: Léopold II, Roi de Belges, Souverain de l'État Indépendant du Congo ("Léopold II, King of the Belgians, Sovereign of the Independent State of the Congo"); also in official use as a term of reference to the holder of the office: Roi-Souverain.

 ²President Kasa-Vubu dismissed Prime Minister Lumumba on 5 Sep 1960 and appointed Iléo in his place, but this was not recognized by parliament and Lumumba continued as prime minister of a rival government until 14 Sep 1960.

 ³Regarding the appointment of Birindwa as illegal, Tshisekedi continued as prime minister of a rival government into 1994. Tshisekedi had already been effectively suspended on 11 Dec 1992, when President Mobutu named Nicolas Zushi Mupiemina as chairman of a Board of Secretaries-General to take over coordination of the government.

Territorial Disputes: Heads of the Great Lakes states and UN pledged in 2004 to abate tribal, rebel, and militia fighting in the region, including northeast Congo, where the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), organized in 1999, maintains over 16,500 uniformed peacekeepers; members of Uganda's Lords Resistance Army forces continue to seek refuge in Congo's Garamba National Park as peace talks with the Uganda government evolve; the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River with the Republic of the Congo is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area; Uganda and DRC dispute Rukwanzi Island in Lake Albert and other areas on the Semliki River with hydrocarbon potential; boundary commission continues discussions over Congolese-administered triangle of land on the right bank of the Lunkinda River claimed by Zambia near the DRC village of Pweto; DRC accuses Angola of shifting monuments. 

Party abbreviations: ACO = Avenir du Congo (Future of Congo, liberal, est.28 Nov 2009); IPDD = Initiative Panafricaine pour la Défense de la Démocratie (Pan-African Initiative for the Defense of Democracy, christian-democratic, est.9 Jan 2015); PALU = Parti Lumumbiste Unifié (Unified Lumumbist Party, socialist, nationalist, est.22 Aug 1964); PPRD = Parti du Peuple pour la Reconstruction et la Démocratie (People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy, social democratic, center-left, pro-Joseph Kabila, est.31 Mar 2002); UDPS = Union pour la Démocratie et le Progrès Social (Democratic Union for the Social Progress, social-democratic, est.15 Feb 1982); UFERI = Union des Fédéralistes et des Républicains Indépendants (Union of Independent Federalists and Republicans, liberal, populist, est.Aug 1990); Mil = Military;
- Former parties (parties banned 23 Dec 1970 - 25 Nov 1990, 25 May 1997-17 May 2001): ABAKO = Association des Bakongo pour l'Unification, la Conservation et l'Cxpansion de la Langue Kikongo (Bakongo Association for the Unification, Conservation and Expansion of the Kikongo Language, conservative, federalist, ethnic Kongo dominated, 1951-1965); AFDL = Alliance des Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Congo (Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo, anti-Mobutu coalition of Tutsi, Rwandan, Ugandan, Burundian, and selected Congolese dissidents and disgruntled minority groups, only legal party 25 May 1997-17 May 2001, L. Kablia personalist, Oct 1996-2002); BALUBAKAT = Association des Baluba du Katanga (Association of Baluba of Katanga, ethnic Luba of Katanga and Kasai, 1957-1965); CONAKAT = Confédération des Associations Tribales du Katanga (Confederation of Tribal Associations of Katanga, Katangan autonomist, mainly ethnic Lunda, 11 Oct 1958-1963); MNC-L = Mouvement National Congolais-Lumumba (National Congolese Movement-Lumumba faction, left-wing, nationalist, Oct 1958-1966); MNC-K = Mouvement National Congolais-Kalonji (National Congolese Movement-Kalonji faction, Albert Kalonji personalist, ethnic Luba, moderate, split from MNC, 1959-1962); MPR = Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution (Popular Movement of the Revolution, Zairian nationalist, Mobutism, Mobutu Sese Seko personalist, anti-Communist, cultural conservative, 20 May 1967-16 May 1997, only legal party 23 Dec 1970 - 24 Apr 1990); RDR = Rassemblement Démocratique pour la République (Democratic Rally for the Republic); UNIMO = Union des Mongo (Union of Mongo, Mongo ethnic, 1960-1965)

7 Sep 1964 - Dec 1965
Map of People's Republic of Congo	Capital: Stanleyville

 7 Sep 1964 - Dec 1965     People's Republic of the Congo (République Populaire du Congo)
                             proclaimed at Stanleyvile in eastern provinces.

Head of the Provisional Government
21 Jul 1964 -  7 Sep 1964  Gaston Émile Soumialot Ete Tambwe  (b. 1922 - d. 2007)  CNL
President of the People's Republic of the Congo
 7 Sep 1964 - 27 May 1965  Christophe Gbenye                  (b. 1927 - d. 2015)  MNC-L
President of the Supreme Council of the Congolese Revolution
27 May 1965 -  6 Aug 1965  Gaston Émile Soumialot Ete Tambwe  (s.a.)               CNL

Chairman of the Revolutionary Government
27 May 1965 -  5 Aug 1965  Christophe Gbenye                  (s.a.)               MNC-L
Chairmen of the Executive Council
 6 Aug 1965 -  8 Dec 1965  Abdoulaye Yerodia Ndombasi         (b. 1933 - d. 2019)  CNL
                             (Singama Luvila)

Party abbreviations: CNL = Conseil National de Libération (National Liberation Council, leftist, nationalist, 1963-1965); MNC-L = Mouvement National Congolais-Lumumba (Congolese National Movement-Lumumba faction, left-wing, nationalist, 1959-1965)

Aug 1998 - 8 Apr 2003
Map of Rebel Held Congo Territory 2001	Headquarters: Goma to 1999, Kisangani 1999, then Bunia, later Isiro (RCD-K/ML); Goma (RCD-G); Kisangani to 2000, then Gbadolite (MLC)

 2 Aug 1998                Second Congo War begins in Goma as a rebellion against the Congo
                             government of Laurent Kabila, aided by Rwanda and Uganda.
23 Aug 1998                Rebels and Rwandans seize Kisangani.
Sep 1998                   Rebels and Rwandans seize Kitona, and move on Kinshasa. Zimbabwe
                             and Angola intervene to save Kabila from being overthrown, and
                             beat back the rebels and their allies from the capital city.
18 Apr 1999                Cease-fire accord in Sirte, Libya by Uganda and Congo. RCD and
                             Rwanda refuse to be bound by the agreement.
16 May 1999                RCD rebel movement is split into two factions RCD-Kisangani and
                             RCD-Goma.
10 Jul 1999                Lusaka Agreement signed by Angola, Congo (Kinshasa), Namibia,
                             Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and later MLC (1 Aug 1999)
                             and RCD-G (31 Aug 1999), it fails to stop the war.
 5 Nov 1999                Security Council established the United Nations Mission in the
                             Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC)(deployed in 2000).
16 Jan 2001                Congo President Laurent Kabila assassinated, his son Joseph
                             Kabila succeeds him. 
17 Jan 2002                Mount Nyiragongo volcano erupts devastating large swathes of Goma.
25 Apr 2002                RCD-ML signs peace agreement with Congo government which is 
                             not supported by RCD-G.
10 Jun 2000                RCD-G takes control of Kisangani, supported by Ugandan and
                             Rwandan troops.
 6 Sep 2002                Luanda Agreement signed by Uganda and Congo.
Oct 2002                   Rwanda forces withdraw from eastern Congo.
12 Dec 2002                Pretoria Accord is signed by the Congo government, RCD, MLC,
                             RCD-K-ML and RCD-N confirming a transitional government and
                             demobilization. By the end of 2002, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and
                             Angola withdraw from the Congo.
31 Dec 2002                Gbadolite Agreement signed by MLC, RCD-ML and RCD-N.
 2 Apr 2003                Final Act of Pretoria Accord signed in Sun City formally ending
                             the civil war. Ugandan forces withdraw in May 2003.

Party abbreviations: MLC = Mouvement pour la Libération du Congo (Movement for the Liberation of Congo, anti-Kabila, Jean-Pierre Bemba faction, Ugandan backed, est.Nov 1998); RCD = Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (Congolese Rally for Democracy, Rwandan backed, split into RCD-G and RCD-K, 12 Aug 1998-May 1999); RCD-G = Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie - Goma (Congolese Rally for Democracy-Goma, anti-Kabila, backed by Rwanda; est.May 1999); RCD-K = Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie - Kisangani (Congolese Rally for Democracy - Kisangani, anti-Kabila, est. by Ernest Wamba dia Wamba, est.May 1999); RCD-K-ML = Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie - Kisangani - Mouvement de Libération (Congolese Rally for Democracy-Kisangani- Movement of Liberation, split from RCD-K by Mbusa Nyamwisi, controlling Beni area, 1999-2003, renamed Forces du Renouveau); RCD-ML = Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie-Mouvement de Libération (Congolese Rally for Democracy-Liberation Movement, Ugandan backed, est.Sep 1999); RDC-N = Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie - National (Congolese Rally for Democracy - RCD-ML splinter faction under Roger Lumbala, supported MLC, controlling Isrio area, est.Oct 2000)

c.1870                     Zanzibar Arab traders establish their trading posts (in the course
                             of the following years - through a network of fortified 
                             trading posts and alliances with local leaders - they succeed
                             in imposing their power in large parts of eastern Congo).
1884 - 1887                "Tippo Tip" claims the Eastern Congo for himself and for the
                             Sultan of Zanzibar.
24 Feb 1887                "Tippo Tip" recognized as wali (governor) of the eastern Stanley
                             Falls district (district des Stanley-Falls) of the Congo Free
                             State.
Mar 1892                   Belgian authorities begin the conquest of the region, temporary 
                             creation of the Arab Military Territory (Territoire militaire
                             arabe).
Jan 1894                   Belgian conquest completed, area is fully incorporated into
                             the Belgian Congo.

Wali (governors)¹
24 Feb 1887 -  6 Apr 1892  Hamed bin Mohammed "Tippo-Tip"     (b. 1837 - d. 1905)
                            (overlord² of the Arab community from 1874) 
 6 Apr 1892 - 20 Oct 1893  Sefu bin Hamid                     (b. 1860 - d. 1893)

Congo Free State Residents in Stanley Falls (with "Tippo-Tip") 
1887 - Sep 1889            Louis Albert Marie Joseph Haneuse  (b. 1853 - d. 1938)
1889                       Oscar Bodson (acting)              (b. 1856 - d. 1891)
1889                       Lucien Bia (acting)                (b. 1852 - d. 1892)
1889                       Dragutin Lerman                    (b. 1863 - d. 1918)
1889 - 1893                Nicholas Isidore Tobback           (b. 1859 - d. 1905)
Congo Free State Residents in Kasongo (with Sefu)
1889 - 1890                Philippe Maurice Gustave Le        (b. 1860 - d. 1907)
                             Clément de Saint-Marcq
1890 - 1892                Joseph François Lippens            (b. 1855 - d. 1892)
Congo Free State Commander of the Arab Military Territory
Mar 1892 - Jan 1894        Francis Ernest Joseph Marie        (b. 1862 - d. 1909)
                             Dhanis

  ¹the term "Arab" was used by Belgian colonial historiography to designate these eastern communities, but this is not fully correct, although there were some Arabs among their members -and even some Indians -most were of East African Swahili origin. 
  The most important vassals of "Tippo-Tip" in c.1892 were: Bwana N'Zige ("brother" of "Tippo-Tip") in Kabambare, Ngongo Lutete in Ngandu (b. 1860 - d. 1892), Kibonga-Longo ain Mawambe, Kibonge in Kirundu, Mohammed bin Khalfan bin Khamis "Rumaliza" in Ujiji (b. c.1855 - d. af.1894), Mserera in Riba-Riba, Munia Muhara in Nyangwe, Sefu ("son" of Tippo-Tip) in Kasongo (s.a.).

 ²although "Tippo-Tip" sometimes recognized the authority of Zanzibar - using the flag of 
the Sultanate - he acted mostly independently.