Kinshasa in History

Is arrested with three former ministers and accused of plotting to overthrow Mobutu.

Is publicly executed with three former ministers after conviction for an alleged coup conspiracy.

The government asserts state ownership over land and mineral rights under the Bakajika Law.

Mobutu renames Leopoldville as Kinshasa during a wider programme of Africanisation.

Mobutu abolishes the prime ministership and concentrates executive authority in the presidency.

Transfers the major Katangan mining company Union Miniere du Haut-Katanga into Congolese state control.

Mobutu establishes the Popular Movement of the Revolution as the regime's political organisation.

The government replaces the Congolese franc with the zaire currency.

A new constitution establishes a highly centralised presidential republic.

Uses security forces to suppress student demonstrations at Lovanium University and temporarily closes the institution.

Consolidates the Popular Movement of the Revolution as the country's dominant and effectively sole political organization.

Mobutu is confirmed as president in a single-candidate national election.

Promotes African names for cities and public institutions as the authenticity campaign reshapes national symbols.

Renames the Congo River as the Zaire River as part of the authenticity campaign.

Mobutu changes the country's name from Democratic Republic of the Congo to Zaire.

Mobutu expands the authenticity campaign and adopts the name Mobutu Sese Seko.

Breaks diplomatic relations with Israel during the wider African response to the October Middle East war.

The government transfers many foreign-owned businesses to Zairian citizens.

Constitutional revisions formally identify the ruling movement with the state.

Uses the Ali-Foreman heavyweight championship in Kinshasa to promote Zaire internationally.

Mobutu announces stronger state direction after economic disruption caused by Zairianisation.

The government returns numerous nationalised businesses to former owners or new managers.

Becomes First State Commissioner after Mobutu recreates a senior head-of-government office.

Is removed from office and sentenced for alleged treason during a major political purge.

Restores a head-of-government post titled First State Commissioner while retaining presidential dominance.

Mobutu requests foreign military assistance after insurgents enter Shaba Province.

Requests foreign military help after FNLC forces penetrate deeply into Shaba province.

Removes and prosecutes officers accused of disloyalty after the second Shaba invasion.

Requests foreign military assistance after FNLC forces seize Kolwezi during the Second Shaba War.

Mobutu again seeks foreign intervention after rebels seize Kolwezi.

Restores diplomatic relations with Israel, reversing the break made during the 1973 Middle East war.

Is imprisoned with other opposition deputies after helping create the unauthorized UDPS.

Tshisekedi and other parliamentarians establish the Union for Democracy and Social Progress.

Mobutu appoints Kengo to direct the government as First State Commissioner.

Mobutu appoints economist Mabi Mulumba to head the government.

Mobutu appoints Sambwa Pida Nbagui to lead the government.

Kengo returns to head the government during continuing economic austerity.

Mobutu announces an end to the formal one-party system and permits political pluralism.

Mobutu appoints Lunda Bululu during the transition toward multiparty politics.

Mobutu opens a national conference intended to negotiate political transition.

Struggles to restore order after unpaid soldiers mutiny and widespread looting erupts in Kinshasa.

The opposition leader becomes prime minister during negotiations over democratic transition.

Mobutu dismisses Tshisekedi after a brief confrontation over executive authority.

Mobutu appoints Mungul Diaka after removing Tshisekedi.

Mobutu appoints Nguza Karl-i-Bond to lead a transitional government.

Presides over the national conference as delegates seek to design a democratic transition away from Mobutu's system.

The national conference resumes and asserts authority over the political transition.

Delegates elect Tshisekedi as prime minister of the transitional government.

Monsengwo leads the transitional legislature created by the Sovereign National Conference.

Backs institutions competing with the opposition-led transition, leaving Zaire with rival claims to governmental legitimacy.

Mobutu appoints Birindwa, producing rival claims to legitimate governmental authority.

Birindwa's government introduces the new zaire during severe monetary instability.

Kengo returns as prime minister under a compromise transitional arrangement.

Mobutu's government mobilises against the expanding Alliance of Democratic Forces for Liberation.

Begins reorganizing national institutions under presidential decrees following the restoration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mobutu briefly reappoints Tshisekedi as rebel forces advance toward the capital.

Mobutu appoints General Likulia to organise the government's final resistance.

Forms a new government dominated by the victorious AFDL after the fall of Mobutu.

Suspends political party activity after taking power and concentrates authority in the new presidency.

Mobutu leaves the capital as Laurent Kabila's forces approach.

Kabila's alliance enters Kinshasa and ends Mobutu's rule.

Kabila restores the name Democratic Republic of the Congo after taking power.

Kabila issues a decree concentrating legislative and executive authority in the presidency.

Kabila takes the presidential oath and establishes a new central government.

Kabila orders foreign military personnel who supported his rebellion to leave the country.

Survives a rebel offensive toward Kinshasa after allied Angolan and Zimbabwean forces intervene.

Condemns fighting between Rwandan and Ugandan forces in Kisangani during the Second Congo War.

Laurent Kabila is shot at the presidential residence and dies from his wounds.

Joseph Kabila is sworn in as president following his father's assassination.

Promulgates the transitional constitutional framework governing institutions created by the peace settlement.

An inclusive government begins with Kabila and four vice-presidents representing former rivals.

Serves as a vice-president representing the former government component of the transition.

Joins the transitional executive as vice-president representing the unarmed political opposition.

Takes a vice-presidential post representing the RCD in the transitional institutions.

Becomes one of four vice-presidents in the transitional power-sharing government.

Orders government forces to restore authority after dissident commanders seize Bukavu during renewed eastern fighting.

Kabila promulgates the constitution approved in the national referendum.

Kabila takes office under the new constitution after winning the election.

Kabila appoints veteran politician Gizenga to form the first government under the new constitution.

Leaves the country after fighting between his guards and government forces ends his armed political challenge in Kinshasa.

Kabila appoints Muzito to lead a new governing cabinet.

Kabila appoints former finance minister Matata Ponyo to head the government.

Welcomes the military defeat of the first M23 rebellion after Congolese and United Nations operations.

Government and opposition representatives agree on elections and transitional power-sharing.

Kabila appoints Tshibala under the framework of the Saint Sylvester Agreement.

Is declared winner of the delayed 2018 presidential election before taking office later in January.

Tshisekedi takes office in the country's first peaceful presidential transfer of power.

Tshisekedi appoints Sama Lukonde to form a new parliamentary government.

Takes the oath for a second presidential term after the Constitutional Court confirms the election result.

Tshisekedi appoints Suminwa as the country's first woman prime minister.