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Country name:
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conventional long form:
Democratic Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Democratique du Congo
local short form: none
former: Congo Free State, Belgian Congo, Congo/Leopoldville,
Congo/Kinshasa, Zaire
abbreviation: DRC |
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Government type:
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transitional government |
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Capital of Congo DR:
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Kinshasa |
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Administrative divisions in the
Democratic Republic of Congo:
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10 provinces (provinces, singular -
province) and 1 city* (ville); Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Equateur,
Kasai-Occidental, Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Kinshasa*, Maniema,
Nord-Kivu, Orientale, Sud-Kivu |
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Independence of Congo:
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30 June 1960 (from Belgium) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 30 June (1960)
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Constitution of Congo:
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18 February 2006 |
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Legal system in the Democratic
Republic of Congo:
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a new constitution was adopted by
referendum 18 December 2005; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction,
with reservations |
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Suffrage of Congolese:
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18 years of age; universal and
compulsory |
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Executive branch in the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa:
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chief of state: President Joseph
KABILA (since 26 January 2001); note - following the assassination
of his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph
KABILA succeeded to the presidency; the president is both the chief
of state and head of government
head of government: President Joseph KABILA (since 26 January
2001); note - following the assassination of his father, Laurent
Desire KABILA, on 16 January 2001, Joseph KABILA succeeded to the
presidency; the president is both the chief of state and head of
government
cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the
president
elections: under new constitution president is elected for
four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 29
July 1984 (next to be held 18 June 2006); formerly, there was also a
prime minister who was elected by the High Council of the Republic
election results: MOBUTU Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga
reelected president in 1984 without opposition
note: Joseph KABILA succeeded his father, Laurent Desire
KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001;
negotiations with rebel leaders led to the establishment of a
transitional government in July 2003 with free elections scheduled
to be held 18 June 2006 |
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Legislative branch in the
Democratic Republic of Congo:
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a 500-member National Assembly and a
120-seat Senate established in June 2003
elections: NA; members of the National Assembly were
appointed by leaders in the factions integrated into the new
government |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
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Political parties and leaders of
the Congolese people:
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Democratic Social Christian Party or
PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forces for Renovation for Union and
Solidarity or FONUS [Joseph OLENGHANKOY]; National Congolese
Lumumbist Movement or MNC [Francois LUMUMBA]; Popular Movement of
the Revolution or MPR (three factions: MPR-Fait Prive [Catherine
NZUZI wa Mbombo]; MPR/Vunduawe [Felix VUNDUAWE]; MPR/Mananga [MANANGA
Dintoka Mpholo]); Unified Lumumbast Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA];
Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Etienne TSHISEKEDI
wa Mulumba]; Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans or
UFERI (two factions: UFERI [Lokambo OMOKOKO]; UFERI/OR [Adolph
Kishwe MAYA]) |
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Political pressure groups and
leaders:
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NA |
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International organization
participation in the Democratic Republic of Congo:
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ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, FAO,
G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, SADC, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO
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Diplomatic representation of
Democratic Republic of Congo in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador
Faida MITIFU
chancery: 1800 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009:
note - Consular Office at 1726 M Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 234-7690, 7691
FAX: [1] (202) 234-2609 |
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Diplomatic representation from
the US to the Democratic Republic of Congo:
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chief of mission: Ambassador
Roger MEECE
embassy: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
mailing address: Unit 31550, APO AE 09828
telephone: [243] (88) 43608
FAX: [243] (88) 43467 |
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Flag description of Congo:
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sky blue field divided diagonally from
the lower hoist corner to upper fly corner by a red stripe bordered
by two narrow yellow stripes; a yellow, five-pointed star appears in
the upper hoist corner |
Source: CIA Country Facts, Joinafrica Team |
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.gif){kind=small}
Government
and President Kabila of of
Congo DR