The political framework of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Felix TSHISEKEDI (since 20 January 2024)
Prime Minister: Judith SUMINWA Tuluka (since 29 May 2024)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: December 2028
National Assembly: December 2028
Senate: April 2029

Main Political Parties

Congolese citizens formally have the right to organise political parties. Hundreds of parties exist, often structured along ethnic, communal, or regional lines, with most having only a limited regional presence. Key national-level parties include the PPRD (People’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy, left-wing) and the UDPS (Union for Democracy and Social Progress, centre-left), the party of the current President, Félix Tshisekedi. The MLC (Movement for the Liberation of the Congo, right-wing) has also secured seats in both houses of parliament.

Other parties represented in the parliament include:

- Alliance des Démocrates pour le Renouveau et le Progrès (ADRP) – Centre-left, social democracy
- Alliance des Forces Démocratiques du Congo et Alliés (AFDC-A) – Centre-left, part of ruling coalition
- Avenir du Congo (ACO) – Liberal, pro-development
- Parti Lumumbiste Unifié (PALU) – Left-wing, Lumumbist ideology
- Alliance des Acteurs pour la Bonne Gouvernance du Congo (AABC) – Centrist, anti-corruption
- Alliance pour la Transformation Intégrale du Congo (ATIC) – Part of ruling coalition
- Autre Vision du Congo (AVC) – Liberal, rights-focused
- Convention des Congolais Unis (CCU) – Liberal, pan-Africanist
- Engagement pour la Citoyenneté et le Développement (ECiDé) – Opposition, led by Martin Fayulu
- Nouvel Élan (Nouvel Élan) – Centre-left, led by Adolphe Muzito
- Forces du Renouveau (Forces du Renouveau) – Centre-right, federalist
- Rassemblement des Écologistes Congolais – Les Verts (REC–Les Verts) – Green party, environmental focus
- Forces Novatrices pour l’Union et la Solidarité (FONUS) – Opposition, non-violent
- Alliance Nationale des Démocrates pour la Reconstruction (ANADER) – Liberal, formerly in transitional government.

Executive Power

The Democratic Republic of Congo can be considered a semi-presidential republic. The executive power is vested in the President and in the Prime Minister. The latter is appointed by the President (normally choosing the leader of the party with the majority of seats in the parliament). The President is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while the Prime Minister is the head of government.

Legislative Power

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a semi-presidential republic. Executive power is shared between the President and the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, typically from the party or coalition holding the majority of seats in the National Assembly. The President serves as the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, while the Prime Minister acts as the head of government, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the executive.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

149/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Not Free

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House