List of prime ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This is a list of prime ministers^[b] of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly the Republic of the Congo and Zaire) since the country's independence in 1960.

The current Prime Minister is Judith Suminwa, since 12 June 2024; she is the first woman in the post.^[1]

List of officeholders

(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)
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)^[c]	—	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)	—	10 July 1964	13 October 1965	1 year, 95 days	CONACO
7		Évariste Kimba (1926–1966)	1965	13 October 1965	25 November 1965 (dismissed)	43 days	CONAKAT
8		Léonard Mulamba (1928–1986)^[d]	—	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^[e]	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^[f]	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^[g]	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	12 June 2024	3 years, 46 days	Future of Congo
29		Judith Suminwa (born 1967)	2023	12 June 2024	Incumbent	138 days	Union for Democracy and Social Progress

Timeline

Rank by time in office

Notes

^ After Law No. 90-002 of 5 July 1990 was promulgated, the position of "First State Commissioner" was replaced with "Prime Minister." See Articles 94–98 of the Constitution of Zaire (as amended by Law No. 90-002) for details. Source
^ The office of Prime Minister was styled as Chairman of the College of Commissioners-General in 1960–1961 and as First State Commissioner in 1977–1990^[a]
^ 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

^ Muamba, Clément (12 June 2024). "RDC-Primature: Sama Lukonde passe officiellement le flambeau à Judith Suminwa". Actualite.cd (in French). Retrieved 12 June 2024.
^ 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.

External links

World Statesmen – Congo (Kinshasa)

[1] After Law No. 90-002 of 5 July 1990 was promulgated, the position of "First State Commissioner" was replaced with "Prime Minister." See Articles 94–98 of the Constitution of Zaire (as amended by Law No. 90-002) for details. Source

[2] The office of Prime Minister was styled as Chairman of the College of Commissioners-General in 1960–1961 and as First State Commissioner in 1977–1990^[a]

[Congo_Crisis-5] Prime Minister of the Free Republic of the Congo, in rebellion at Stanleyville, during the Congo Crisis.^[2]

[6] 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)

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

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

[16] Deposed in the First Congo War.

[3] Muamba, Clément (12 June 2024). "RDC-Primature: Sama Lukonde passe officiellement le flambeau à Judith Suminwa". Actualite.cd (in French). Retrieved 12 June 2024.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[b]

[1]

[c]

[d]

[3]

[e]

[5]

[f]

[8]

[9]

[g]

[a]

[2]

[4]

[6]

[7]

v t e Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (list)
Republic of the Congo (1960–1971)	Patrice Lumumba Joseph Iléo Albert Ndele Justin Bomboko Antoine Gizenga^‡ Joseph Iléo Cyrille Adoula Moïse Tshombe Évariste Kimba Léonard Mulamba
Republic of Zaire (1971–1997)	Mpinga Kasenda Bo-Boliko Lokonga Mihambo Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond N'singa Udjuu Ongwabeki Untubu Léon Kengo wa Dondo Mabi Mulumba Sambwa Pida Nbagui Léon Kengo wa Dondo Lunda Bululu Mulumba Lukoji Étienne Tshisekedi Bernardin Mungul Diaka Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond Étienne Tshisekedi Faustin Birindwa Léon Kengo wa Dondo Étienne Tshisekedi Likulia Bolongo
Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–present)	Antoine Gizenga Adolphe Muzito Louis Alphonse Koyagialo^* Matata Ponyo Mapon Samy Badibanga Bruno Tshibala Sylvestre Ilunga Sama Lukonde Judith Suminwa
‡ Prime minister of the Free Republic of the Congo, in rebellion at Stanleyville, during the Congo Crisis. * Acting Prime Minister.