The Government: The Democratic Republic of the Congo

BackgroundAfter many years as a colony of Belgium, the Congo was granted independence in 1960. The first constitution was written in 1963. Multiple heads of state came to power until 1992. That year had a new constitution that instituted multi-party elections. In 1997 a brief civil war broke out and the Fundamental Act suspended the constitution, beginning a period of ethnic and political unrest. Congo adopted a transitional constitution in 2002, which included a Bill of Rights, fundamental principles of the Republic, defines the rights and duties of citizens, and the operating rules of the state. In 2005, a formal constitution was adopted. The president shares powers with the prime minister and a bicameral legislature. In 2010, the Congo celebrated 50 years of Independence even though there are still issues to be resolved.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is composed of 10 provinces.

The President

The DR Congo President be elected by the majority and may remain president for up to two 7 year terms. The president serves as Head of State and whose duties include:

In charge of armed forces as commander in chief.

Appoints officers, ministers, and ambassadors

Negotiates treaties

Ensures compliance with the constitution

SenateThe Senate is comprised of 108 individuals who are elected indirectly and serve for a total of five years per election. The Senate has a legislative role in the government and originally had the task of drafting the new constitution which was later adopted.

Prime MinisterThe Prime Minister is picked from the party or political group that is in charge of the Assembly. He is a head of the government and is appointed by the president himself. The Prime Minister shares leadership of the executive branch power with the President.

National AssemblyThe National Assembly has 500 members who serve five year terms though they can serve as many terms as they are elected. The National assembly is the lower house of parliament and can remove the president if need be. The National Assembly can scrutinize bills and decide whether to pass or veto them.

The Court SystemConsisting of nine members who can be reappointed for every nine year term. The Constitutional Court monitors the constitutionality of laws, treaties, and other international agreements. They hear claims related to elections because they are the ones that give out the election results.

The Supreme Court is the highest constitutional authority in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The court takes on the cases that pose a question to a law that cannot be handled in lower courts. The Supreme Court is comprised of a Chief of Justice, a Vice President, and five Chamber Presidents.

First democratically elected President was Joseph Kabila in 2006

Parliament The legislature consists of parliament including the upper house (the Senate) and the lower house called the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo