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

This article lists the heads of state (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.

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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 (1960–1971)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)		 Elected Term of office Political party
Took office Left office Time in office
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)		 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 17 years, 363 days Independent /
People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy
5 Félix Tshisekedi
(born 1963)		 2018 24 January 2019 Incumbent 3 years, 101 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 Laurent-Désiré Kabila 3 years, 245 days
5 Félix Tshisekedi 3 years, 101 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.
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