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Capital:
Kinshasa

Administrative divisions:
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

Independence:
30 June 1960 (from Belgium)

National holiday:
Independence Day, 30 June (1960)

Constitution:
new constitution adopted 17 July 2003

Legal system:
based on Belgian civil law system and tribal law; has not accepted
compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
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: prior to the overthrow of MOBUTU Sese Seko, the president
was elected by popular vote for a seven-year term; election last
held 29 July 1984 (next was scheduled to be held in May 1997);
formerly, there was also a prime minister who was elected by the
High Council of the Republic; note - a Transitional Government is
drafting a new constitution with free elections scheduled to be held
in NA 2005
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 in
NA 2005

Legislative branch:
a 300-member Transitional Constituent Assembly established in
August 2000
elections: NA; members of the Transitional Constituent Assembly were
appointed by former President Laurent Desire KABILA

Judicial branch:
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Social Christian Party or PDSC [Andre BO-BOLIKO]; Forces
for Renovation for Union and Solida