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{{Politics of the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
'''Politics of the Democratic Republic of Congo''' take place in the framework of a republic in transition from a civil war to a [[semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]] [[republic]].
On 18 and 19 December 2005, a successful nationwide referendum was carried out on a [[Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|draft constitution]], which set the stage for elections in 2006. The voting process, though technically difficult due to the lack of [[infrastructure]], was facilitated and organized by the Congolese Independent Electoral Commission with support from the UN mission to the Congo (MONUC). Early UN reports indicate that the voting was for the most part peaceful, but spurred violence in many parts of the war-torn east and the Kasais.
Since 1996, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been a battleground, starting with neighboring states invading [[Zaire]], which ended the 32-year rule of [[Joseph Mobutu]] and saw [[Laurent-Désiré Kabila]] becoming the new president. These conflicts originated from the [[Rwanda genocide|1994 Rwanda genocide]] and subsequent destabilization of the DRC's eastern region. There were nine African countries involved directly, with many more offering military, financial, and political support. Internal rebellions further complicated matters. This has led to a severe humanitarian crisis.<ref>[https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/sr200.pdf Elections] in the DRC. (n.d.-a). <nowiki>https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/sr200.pdf</nowiki></ref>
In 2001, Laurent Kabila was killed, and his son [[Joseph Kabila]] took over as the leader of the country. Under the new president's leadership, efforts were made to bring an end to the presence of foreign troops in the eastern DRC, instead a cooperative approach was adopted, focusing on diplomatic discussions to resolve conflicts. By 2002, the [[Pretoria Accord]] was achieved through negotiations known as the Inter-Congolese Dialogue. This agreement involved all warring factions, political opposition groups, and civil society, aiming to halt the fighting and establish a government of national unity. Referred to as the “Global and All-Inclusive Agreement on the Transition,” it outlined a plan toward stability, peace, and democracy in the DRC. The agreement proposed that former warring factions, civil society, and political opposition would share political, military, and economic authority during a two-year transition phase, extendable by two six-month periods. During this period, plans were made for a referendum on the post-transition constitution and the conduct of general elections.<ref>Post-transitional elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo -. (n.d.). <nowiki>https://aceproject.org/today/feature-articles/post-transitional-elections-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo</nowiki></ref>
In 2006, many Congolese complained that the constitution was a rather ambiguous document and were unaware of its contents. This is due in part to the high rates of illiteracy in the country. However, interim President Kabila urged Congolese to vote 'Yes', saying the constitution is the country's best hope for peace in the future. 25 million Congolese turned out for the two-day balloting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2005 |title=Congo-Kinshasa: DR Congo: UN Reports Peaceful Constitutional Referendum, With Few Incidents |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200512200142.html |website=AllAfrica |access-date=14 November 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208105945/http://allafrica.com/stories/200512200142.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=19 December 2005 |title=Congo-Kinshasa: DRC: Referendum Continues Into Second Day |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200512190746.html |website=AllAfrica |access-date=14 November 2022 |archive-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208105951/http://allafrica.com/stories/200512190746.html |url-status=live }}</ref> According to results released in January 2006, the constitution was approved by 84% of voters.<ref>http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/01/12/congo.constitution.ap/ {{Dead link|date=January 2022}}</ref> The new constitution also aims to decentralize authority, dividing the vast nation into 25 semi-autonomous provinces, drawn along ethnic and cultural lines.<ref>http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/africa/01/12/congo.constitution.ap/ {{Dead link|date=January 2022}}</ref>
The country's first democratic elections in four decades were held on 30 July 2006.
==Political history==
{{See also|History of the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
From the day of the arguably ill-prepared independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the tensions between the powerful leaders of the political elite, such as [[Joseph Kasa Vubu]], [[Patrice Lumumba]], [[Moise Tshombe]], [[Joseph Mobutu]] and others, jeopardize the political stability of the new state. From Tshombe's secession of the Katanga, to the assassination of Lumumba, to the two [[coups d'état]] of Mobutu, the country has known periods of true nationwide peace, but virtually no period of genuine democratic rule.
===The Mobutu era===
The regime of '''[[Mobutu Sese Seko|President Mobutu Sese Seko]]''' lasted 32 years (1965–1997), during which all but the first seven years the country was named [[Zaire]]. His dictatorship operated as a [[one-party state]], which saw most of the powers concentrated between President Mobutu, who was simultaneously the head of both the party and the state through the [[Popular Movement of the Revolution]] (MPR), and a series of essentially [[Rubber stamp (politics)|rubber-stamping]] institutions.
One particularity of the Regime was the claim to be thriving for an [[Authenticité (Zaire)|''authentic'' system]], different from Western or Soviet influences. This lasted roughly between the establishment of Zaire in 1971, and the official beginning of the transition towards democracy, on 24 April 1990. This was true at the regular people's level as everywhere else. People were ordered by law to drop their Western Christian names; the titles Mr. and Mrs. were abandoned for the male and female versions of the French word for "citizen"; Men were forbidden to wear suits, and women to wear pants. At the institutional level, many of the institutions also changed denominations, but the result was a system that borrowed from both systems:
*The MPR's '''Central Committee''': Under the system of the "party-state", this committee had a higher position in the institutional make-up than the government or cabinet. It had both executive oversight authority, and in practice, binding legislative authority, as it dictated the party platform. Mobutu headed the Central Committee as Founding-President. The vice-president of the Central Committee was essentially the country's vice president, without the succession rights.
*The '''Executive Council''': Known elsewhere as the Government or the Cabinet, this council was the executive authority in the country, made of '''State Commissioners''' (known elsewhere as [[Minister (government)|minister]]s). For a long period of time, Mobutu was the sole leader of the Executive Council. He eventually would appoint '''[[List of heads of government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo#Republic of Zaire (1971–1997)|First State Commissioner]]s''' (known elsewhere as [[prime minister]]s) with largely coordinating powers and very little executive power. The last "First State Commissioner" was [[Kengo Wa Dondo]].
*The '''Legislative Council''': essentially the rubber-stamp parliament, it was made up of '''People Commissioners''' (known elsewhere as [[Member of Parliament|MP]]s), who were sometimes elected, as individual members of the MPR, and always on the party platform.
*The '''Supreme Court''': As the judiciary, this court was seemingly the only independent branch of government, but in effect it was subordinate to a '''Judicial Council''' over which the regime had a very strong influence.
Every corporation, whether financial or union, as well as every division of the administration, was set up as branches of the party. CEOs, union leaders, and division directors were each sworn in as section presidents of the party. Every aspect of life was regulated to some degree by the party, and the will of its founding-president, Mobutu Sese Seko.
Most of the petty aspects of the regime disappeared after 1990 with the beginning of the democratic transition. Democratization would prove to be fairly short-lived, as Mobutu's power plays dragged it in length until ultimately 1997, when forces led by [[Laurent Kabila]] eventually successfully toppled the regime, after a [[First Congo War|9-month-long military campaign]].
===The Kabilas' governments and war===
The government of former president [[Mobutu Sese Seko]] was toppled by a rebellion led by [[Laurent Kabila]] in May 1997, with the support of [[Rwanda]] and [[Uganda]]. They were later to turn against Kabila and backed a rebellion against him in August 1998. Troops from [[Zimbabwe]], [[Angola]], [[Namibia]], [[Chad]], and [[Sudan]] intervened to support the [[Kinshasa]] regime. A cease-fire was signed on 10 July 1999 by the DROC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, Rwanda, and Congolese armed rebel groups, but fighting continued.
Under Laurent Kabila's regime, all executive, legislative, and military powers were first vested in the President, [[Laurent-Désiré Kabila]]. The judiciary was independent, with the president having the power to dismiss or appoint. The president was first head of a 26-member cabinet dominated by the [[Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo]] (ADFL). Towards the end of the 90s, Laurent Kabila created and appointed a Transitional Parliament, with a seat in the buildings of the former [[Katanga Province|Katanga]] Parliament, in the southern town of Lubumbashi, in a move to unite the country, and to legitimate his regime. Kabila was assassinated on 16 January 2001 and his son [[Joseph Kabila]] was named head of state ten days later.
Initially underestimated as a mere figurehead chosen by his father's advisors, Kabila surprised many by quickly asserting his authority and turning the government in new directions. Shortly after taking office, he went on his first international trip, where he engaged in diplomatic talks with leaders from France, Belgium, and the United States, including the Secretary of State Colin Powell, as well as officials from global institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations. During his visit to the United States, he met with Paul Kagame, the Rwandan president, despite their past differences. In a significant move in February 2001, Kabila committed to implementing a ceasefire agreement signed in July 1999, which had previously been disregarded by all involved. He initiated discussions with rebel groups and negotiated the withdrawal of troops from Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola, and Namibia, which had a military presence in Congo. UN peacekeepers were deployed in March to oversee the ceasefire and troop withdrawals.<ref>Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (2024, April 30). ''Joseph Kabila''. Encyclopædia Britannica. <nowiki>https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Kabila</nowiki> [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Kabila]</ref>
The younger Kabila continued with his father's Transitional Parliament, but overhauled his entire cabinet, replacing it with a group of technocrats, with the stated aim of putting the country back on the track of development, and coming to a decisive end of the [[Second Congo War]]. In October 2002, the new president was successful in getting occupying Rwandan forces to withdraw from eastern Congo; two months later, an agreement was signed by all remaining warring parties to end the fighting and set up a Transition Government, the make-up of which would allow representation for all negotiating parties. Two founding documents emerged from this: The [[wikisource:fr:Constitution de la transition de la République démocratique du Congo (2003)|Transition Constitution]], and the [[Global and Inclusive Agreement]], both of which describe and determine the make-up and organization of the Congolese institutions, until planned elections in July 2006, at which time the provisions of the new constitution, democratically approved by referendum in December 2005, will take full effect and that is how it happened.
Under the Global and All-Inclusive Agreement, signed on 17 December 2002, in Pretoria, there was to be one President and [[Vice-Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|four Vice-Presidents]], one from the government, one from the [[Rally for Congolese Democracy]], one from the [[Movement for the Liberation of Congo|MLC]], and one from civil society. The position of vice-president expired after the 2006 elections.
After being for three years (2003–06) in the [[interregnum]] between two constitutions, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now under the regime of the [[Constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Constitution of the Third Republic]]. The constitution, adopted by referendum in 2005, and promulgated by President Joseph Kabila in February 2006, establishes a decentralized semi-presidential republic, with a separation of powers between the three branches of government - executive, legislative and judiciary, and a distribution of prerogatives between the central government and the provinces.
In September 2016, violent protests were met with brutal force by the police and Republican Guard soldiers. Opposition groups claim 80 dead, including the Students' Union leader. From Monday 19 September Kinshasa residents, as well as residents elsewhere in Congo, where mostly confined to their homes. Police arrested anyone remotely connected to the opposition as well as innocent onlookers. Government propaganda, on television, and actions of covert government groups in the streets, acted against opposition as well as foreigners. The president's mandate was due to end on 19 December 2016, but no plans were made to elect a replacement at that time and this [[December 2016 Congolese protests|caused further protests]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/19/democratic-republic-congo-demonstrations-banned-police-killed-joseph-kabila-etienne-tshisekedi|title=Clashes in Kinshasa leave 50 dead, say DRC opposition groups|first=Jason Burke Africa|last=correspondent|newspaper=The Guardian |date=20 September 2016|via=www.theguardian.com|access-date=18 May 2021|archive-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002220957/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/19/democratic-republic-congo-demonstrations-banned-police-killed-joseph-kabila-etienne-tshisekedi|url-status=live}}</ref>
As of 8 August 2017 there are 54 political parties legally operating in the Congo.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.digitalcongo.net/article/59c9067634b97800049500e8| title = L'arrêt de la Cour suprême de justice a tranché : Abako ; Guéguerre entre Matusila et Kimpiatu enterrée| last = Kungu| first = Kléber| date = 25 September 2017| website = Digital Congo| publisher = Multimedia Congo sprl| access-date = 30 September 2017| location = Kinshasa| archive-date = 30 September 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170930131846/https://www.digitalcongo.net/article/59c9067634b97800049500e8| url-status = dead}}</ref>
On 15 December 2018 US State Department announced it had decided to evacuate its employees’ family members from Democratic Republic of Congo just before the Congolese elections to choose a successor to President Joseph Kabila.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.voanews.com/a/us-orders-non-emergency-staff-out-of-congo-before-election/4702065.html| title = US Orders non-Emergency Staff Out of Congo Before Election| date = 15 December 2018| access-date = 2018-12-17| archive-date = 2018-12-18| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181218054523/https://www.voanews.com/a/us-orders-non-emergency-staff-out-of-congo-before-election/4702065.html| url-status = live}}</ref>
=== Félix Tshisekedi Presidency (2019-) ===
On 30 December 2018 the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 2018|presidential election to determine the successor to Kabila was held]]. On 10 January 2019, the electoral commission announced opposition candidate [[Félix Tshisekedi]] as the winner of the vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/01/09/683830171/surprise-winner-of-congolese-election-is-an-opposition-leader |title=Surprise Winner of Congolese Election Is An Opposition Leader |website=NPR.org |date=9 January 2019 |access-date=11 January 2019 |last1=Gonzales |first1=Richard |last2=Schwartz |first2=Matthew S. |archive-date=16 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116094255/https://www.npr.org/2019/01/09/683830171/surprise-winner-of-congolese-election-is-an-opposition-leader |url-status=live }}</ref> He was officially sworn in as president on 24 January 2019.<ref name=inaug>{{Cite news | url=https://af.reuters.com/article/drcNews/idAFL8N1ZN4X9 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020306/https://af.reuters.com/article/drcNews/idAFL8N1ZN4X9 | url-status=dead | archive-date=January 25, 2019 | title=REFILE-Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi sworn in as Congo president| newspaper=Reuters| date=2019-01-24}}</ref> In the ceremony of taking of the office<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.afroamerica.net/index.php/world/19-africa/1315-dr-congo-felix-tshisekedi-appoints-vital-kamerhe-chief-of-staff.html | title=DR Congo: Felix Tshisekedi Appoints Vital Kamerhe Chief of Staff | access-date=2021-05-18 | archive-date=2021-05-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518120446/https://www.afroamerica.net/index.php/world/19-africa/1315-dr-congo-felix-tshisekedi-appoints-vital-kamerhe-chief-of-staff.html | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Félix Tshisekedi]] appointed [[Vital Kamerhe]] as his chief of staff. In June 2020,  chief of staff Vital Kamerhe was found guilty of embezzling public funds and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.france24.com/en/20200620-dr-congo-court-gives-20-year-sentence-to-president-s-chief-of-staff-kamerhe-for-graft|title = DR Congo court gives 20-year sentence to president's chief of staff Kamerhe for graft|date = 20 June 2020|access-date = 18 May 2021|archive-date = 21 June 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200621170851/https://www.france24.com/en/20200620-dr-congo-court-gives-20-year-sentence-to-president-s-chief-of-staff-kamerhe-for-graft|url-status = live}}</ref> His initial campaign pledged to enhance living standards in the DRC, a country abundant in minerals but plagued by widespread poverty among its 100 million people, and to bring an end to 25 years of violence in the eastern region.<ref>[https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/20/dr-congos-president-tshisekedi-sworn-in-for-second-term-amid-disputes Al] Jazeera. (2024, January 20). ''DR Congo’s president Tshisekedi sworn in for second term amid disputes''. <nowiki>https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/20/dr-congos-president-tshisekedi-sworn-in-for-second-term-amid-disputes</nowiki></ref>
The political allies of former president Joseph Kabila, who stepped down in January 2019, maintained control of key ministries, the legislature, judiciary and security services. However, President Felix Tshisekedi succeeded to strengthen his hold on power. In a series of moves, he won over more legislators, gaining the support of almost 400 out of 500 members of the National Assembly. The pro-Kabila speakers of both houses of parliament were forced out. In April 2021, the new government was formed without the supporters of Kabila.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/12/dr-congos-tshisekedi-in-full-control-of-new-govt-official|title=DR Congo names new cabinet, cements president's power|access-date=2021-05-18|archive-date=2021-05-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518111810/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/12/dr-congos-tshisekedi-in-full-control-of-new-govt-official|url-status=live}}</ref>  President Felix Tshisekedi succeeded to oust the last remaining elements of his government who were loyal to former leader Joseph Kabila.<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://chargedaffairs.org/felix-tshisekedis-newly-independent-agenda-for-the-drc-modernizer-or-strongman-2-0/|title = Felix Tshisekedi's Newly-Independent Agenda for the DRC: Modernizer or Strongman 2.0?|date = 26 May 2021|access-date = 6 June 2021|archive-date = 27 April 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220427234020/https://chargedaffairs.org/felix-tshisekedis-newly-independent-agenda-for-the-drc-modernizer-or-strongman-2-0/|url-status = dead}}</ref>
After [[2023 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election|the 2023 presidential election]], Tshisekedi had a clear lead in his run for a second term.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 December 2023 |title=DR Congo presidential election: partial results give Tshisekedi a clear lead |work=[[Africanews]] |url=https://www.africanews.com/2023/12/25/dr-congo-presidential-election-partial-results-give-tshisekedi-a-clear-lead/ |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> Despite the economic growth, numerous Congolese citizens were voicing concerns about the decline of the Congolese franc, which is significantly affecting their everyday experiences. Despite the nation's abundant mineral resources and sizable population, the quality of life has not substantially improved for the majority, as conflict, corruption, and inadequate governance continue to endure. During his reelection campaign, he reiterated promises from five years prior, including job creation, enhancing economic stability, and addressing the persistent insecurity that has plagued the eastern region for thirty years, resulting in the loss of millions of lives.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67718533 Rukanga], B. (2023, December 31). ''Félix Tshisekedi: DR Congo’s re-elected president''. BBC News. <nowiki>https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-67718533</nowiki></ref> On 20 December 2023, official said that President Felix Tshisekedi had been re-elected with 73% of the vote. Nine opposition candidates signed a declaration rejecting the election and called for a rerun.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=2023-12-31 |title=DRC president declared election winner as opposition cries foul |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/31/drc-president-felix-tshisekedi-declared-election-winner-as-opposition-cries-foul |access-date=2024-01-02 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In January, following the election, the major opposition candidate, Moise Katumbi was momentarily placed under house arrest but this was quickly rectified by the governor of Haut-Katanga province.
The ruling party, President Tshisekedi's UDPS, won the majority of seats in general [[2023 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election|elections]], winning 69 seats in the 500-member National Assembly ahead of 44 other parties.<ref>{{cite news |title=DR Congo’s ruling party wins majority of seats in legislative elections |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/dr-congo-s-ruling-party-wins-majority-of-seats-in-legislative-elections/3108843 |work=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref>
==Executive branch ==
Since the July 2006 elections, the country is led by a [[semi-presidential system|semi-presidential]], strongly-[[decentralized]] state. The executive at the central level, is divided between the [[President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|President]], and a [[Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Prime Minister]] appointed by him/her from the party having the majority of seats in Parlement. Should there be no clear majority, the President can appoint a "government former" that will then have the task to win the confidence of the National Assembly. The President appoints the government members (ministers) at the proposal of the Prime Minister. In coordination, the President and the government are in charge of the executive, but the Prime minister and the government are responsible to the lower-house of Parliament, the National Assembly.
At the [[Provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|province]] level, the Provincial legislature (Provincial Assembly) elects a governor, and the governor, with his government of up to 10 ministers, is in charge of the provincial executive. Some domains of government power are of the exclusive provision of the Province, and some are held concurrently with the Central government. This is not a Federal state; however, it is simply a decentralized one, as the majority of the domains of power are still vested in the Central government. The governor is responsible to the Provincial Assembly.
===Criticisms===
The semi-presidential system has been described by some as "conflictogenic" and "dictatogenic"[https://web.archive.org/web/20060103192600/http://lepartidurenouveau.free.fr/profmampuya003.htm], as it ensures frictions, and a reduction of pace in government life, should the President and the Prime Minister be from different sides of the political arena. This was seen several times in [[France]], a country that shares the semi-presidential model. It was also, arguably, in the first steps of the Congo into independence, the underlying cause of the crisis between Prime Minister [[Patrice Lumumba]] and President [[Joseph Kasa Vubu]], who ultimately dismissed each other, in 1960.
In January 2015 the [[2015 Congolese protests]] broke out in the country's capital following the release of a draft law that would extend the presidential term limits and allow [[Joseph Kabila]] to run again for office.
==Legislative branch==
[[File:Palais du peuple de la RDC.jpg|thumb|[[Palais du Peuple (Kinshasa)|Palais du Peuple]], seat of the [[Parliament of the Democratic Republic of the Congo|parliament]] in [[Kinshasa]]]]
=== Under the Transition Constitution ===
The Inter-Congolese dialogue, that set-up the transitional institutions, created a bicameral parliament, with a National Assembly and Senate, made up of appointed representatives of the parties to the dialogue.  These parties included the preceding government, the rebel groups that were fighting against the government, with heavy Rwandan and Ugandan support, the internal opposition parties, and the Civil Society.  At the beginning of the transition, and up until recently, the National Assembly is headed by the [[Movement for the Liberation of the Congo|MLC]] with Speaker Hon. [[Olivier Kamitatu]], while the Senate is headed by a representative of the Civil Society, namely the head of the Church of Christ in Congo, Mgr. [[Pierre Marini Bodho]]. Hon. Kamitatu has since left both the MLC and the Parliament to create his own party, and ally with current President Joseph Kabila.  Since then, the position of Speaker is held by Hon. [[Thomas Luhaka]], of the MLC.
Aside from the regular legislative duties, the Senate had the charge to draft a new constitution for the country.  That constitution was adopted by referendum in December 2005, and decreed into law on 18 February 2006.
===Under the New Constitution===
The Parliament of the third republic is also bicameral, with a National Assembly and a Senate. Members of the National Assembly, the lower - but the most powerful - house, are elected by [[Universal direct suffrage|direct suffrage]]. Senators are elected by the legislatures of the 26 provinces.
==Judicial branch==
===Under the Transition Constitution===
{{Empty section|date=January 2011}}
===Under the New Constitution===
The Congolese Judicial Branch Consists of a Supreme Court, which handles federal crimes.
==Administrative divisions==
{{Main|Subdivisions of the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
===Under the Transition Constitution===
10 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and one city* (ville): [[Bandundu (province)|Bandundu]], [[Bas-Congo]], [[Équateur (former province)|Équateur]], [[Kasai-Occidental]], [[Kasai-Oriental]], [[Katanga Province|Katanga]], [[Kinshasa]]*, [[Maniema]], [[North Kivu]], [[Orientale (province)|Orientale]].
Each province is divided into districts and cities.
===Under the New Constitution===
25 provinces (provinces, singular - province) and city* (ville): [[Bas-Uele (proposed province)|Bas-Uele]] | [[Équateur (proposed province)|Équateur]] | [[Haut-Lomami (proposed province)|Haut-Lomami]] | [[Haut-Katanga (proposed province)|Haut-Katanga]] | [[Haut-Uele (proposed province)|Haut-Uele]] | [[Ituri (proposed province)|Ituri]] | [[Kasai (proposed province)|Kasaï]] | [[Kasai-oriental (proposed province)|Kasaï oriental]] | [[Kongo Central (proposed province)|Kongo central]] | [[Kwango (proposed province)|Kwango]] | [[Kwilu (proposed province)|Kwilu]] | [[Lomami (proposed province)|Lomami]] | [[Lualaba (proposed province)|Lualaba]] | [[Lulua (proposed province)|Lulua]] | [[Mai-Ndombe (proposed province)|Mai-Ndombe]] | [[Maniema]] | [[Mongala (proposed province)|Mongala]] | [[North Kivu]] | [[Nord-Ubangi (proposed province)|Nord-Ubangi]]  | [[Sankuru (proposed province)|Sankuru]] | [[South Kivu]] | [[Sud-Ubangi (proposed province)|Sud-Ubangi]] | [[Tanganyika (proposed province)|Tanganyika]] | [[Tshopo (proposed province)|Tshopo]] | [[Tshuapa (proposed province)|Tshuapa]] | [[Kinshasa]]*
Each province is divided into territories and cities.
==Political parties and elections==
{{Main|Political parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo|Elections in the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
===Presidential elections===
{{Main|2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election}}
{{#section-h:2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election|President}}
===Parliamentary elections===
{{Main|2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election}}
{{#section-h:2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election|National Assembly}}
==International organization participation==
[[Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique|ACCT]], [[ACP (Lomé Convention)|ACP]], [[African Development Bank|AfDB]], [[African Union|AU]], [[CEEAC]], [[Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries|CEPGL]], [[East African Community]], [[United Nations Economic Commission for Africa|ECA]], [[Food and Agriculture Organization|FAO]], [[Group of 19|G-19]], [[Group of 24|G-24]], [[Group of 77|G-77]], [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]], [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|IBRD]], [[International Civil Aviation Organization|ICAO]], [[International Criminal Court|ICC]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|ICRM]], [[International Development Association|IDA]], [[International Fund for Agricultural Development|IFAD]], [[International Finance Corporation|IFC]], [[International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|IFRCS]], [[International Hydrographic Organization|IHO]], [[International Labour Organization|ILO]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], [[United Nations|UN]], [[United Nations Conference on Trade and Development|UNCTAD]], [[UNESCO]], [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees|UNHCR]], [[United Nations Industrial Development Organization|UNIDO]], [[Universal Postal Union|UPU]], [[World Customs Organization|WCO]] [[World Federation of Trade Unions|WFTU]], [[World Health Organization|WHO]], [[World Intellectual Property Organization|WIPO]], [[World Meteorological Organization|WMO]], [[World Tourism Organization|WToO]], [[World Trade Organization|WTrO]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Wikisourcelang|fr|Constitution de la République démocratique du Congo|The constitution of the Democratic Republic of the Congo}}
{{Africa in topic|Politics of}}
{{DRC topics}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of The Democratic Republic Of The Congo}}
[[Category:Politics of the Democratic Republic of the Congo| ]]