Joseph Kabila | |
|---|---|
 Kabila in 2016 | |
| 4th President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| In office 17 January 2001 – 24 January 2019 Acting: 17 January 2001 – 26 January 2001 | |
| Prime Minister | Antoine Gizenga Adolphe Muzito Louis Alphonse Koyagialo (acting) Matata Ponyo Mapon Samy Badibanga Bruno Tshibala |
| Vice President (2003-2006) | Azarias Ruberwa Arthur Z'ahidi Ngoma Abdoulaye Yerodia Ndombasi Jean-Pierre Bemba |
| Preceded by | Laurent-Désiré Kabila |
| Succeeded by | Félix Tshisekedi |
| Senator for life | |
| Assumed office 15 March 2019 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Kabila Kabange 4 June 1971 Fizi, Congo-Léopoldville (now South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
| Political party | People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy |
| Spouse | |
| Alma mater | Makerere University People's Liberation Army National Defense University University of Johannesburg |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  DR Congo |
| Branch/service | Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Rank | Major-general |
Joseph Kabila Kabange (/kæˈbiːlə/ kab-EE-lə, French: [ʒozɛf kabila]; born 4 June 1971) is a Congolese politician who served as President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo between January 2001 and January 2019. He took office ten days[1] after the assassination of his father, President Laurent-Désiré Kabila in the context of the Second Congo War. He was allowed to remain in power after the 2003 Pretoria Accord ended the war as the president of the country's new transitional government. He was elected as president in 2006 and re-elected in 2011 for a second term.[2] Since stepping down after the 2018 election, Kabila, as a former president, serves as a senator for life.[3][4]
Kabila's term was due to expire on 20 December 2016, according to the terms of the constitution adopted in 2006. Officials suggested that elections would be held in November 2016, but on 29 September 2016, the nation's electoral authority announced that the election would not be held until early 2018. Talk focused on the need for a census before holding elections.[5] In August 2018, Kabila announced that he would step down and not seek reelection in the December 2018 general election.[6]
Kabila was succeeded by Félix Tshisekedi in the country's first peaceful transition of power since independence. Independent observers concluded that Tshisikedi lost heavily to another candidate, Martin Fayulu, and that Kabila had fixed the official result for the candidate most likely to be most helpful to him in the latter's post-presidency period.[7] While in power, Kabila faced continuous wars in eastern Congo and internal rebel forces supported by the neighboring governments of Rwanda and Uganda.
In 2021, it was reported that Kabila embezzled over $138 million during his presidency.[8]
- ^ "Joseph Kabila Takes Power In Congo". CBS News. 23 January 2001. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Retrieved 31 July 2016.
- ^ CIA World Leaders, Democratic Republic of the Congo Archived 6 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Powell, Anita (24 January 2019). DR Congo Celebrates New President, Keeps Sharp Eye on Ex Archived 25 January 2019 at the Wayback Machine. VOA News. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
- ^ Bujakera, Stanis (15 March 2019). Congo ex-leader Kabila's coalition wins decisive senate majority Archived 21 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Reuters. Accessed 21 March 2019.
- ^ "Will Kabila go?". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 23 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
- ^ "Joseph Kabila says he will not run again in Congo". The Economist. 8 August 2018. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Congo voting data reveal huge fraud in poll to replace Kabila". Financial Times. 15 January 2019. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ "DRC: Investigation opens on Joseph Kabila over $138 million embezzlement". Africanews. 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 7 December 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2021.