POLITICS
Conventional Long Form Name: Democratic Republic of Congo
Capital City: Kinshasa
Type of Government: Republic
Data of Independence: June 30, 1960
National Holidays: Independence Day - June 30
Chief of State: President Joseph Kabila
Head of Government: Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon
Executive Branch and its Powers: President directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term);
Legislative Branch and its Powers: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate (108 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly
Judicial Branch and its Powers: Supreme Court of Justice (organized into legislative and judiciary sections and consists of 26 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
DRC's Ambassador to the United States: Ambassador Francois Balumuene
Location of DRC Embassy in the United States: 1726 M Street, NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC, 20036
Location of DRC Consulate(s) in the United States: New York
United States Ambassador to DRC: Ambassador James C. Swan
Location of the United States Embassy in DRC: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
Location of the United States Consulate(s) in DRC: N/A
DRC's Representative to the United Nations: H.E. Ambassador Ignace Gata Mavita wa Lufuta
Symbolism of the DRC Flag: Blue-Peace, Red-"blood of martyrs", yellow-wealth, star-"radiant future for the country"
National Symbol(s): Animal-Okapi, Nationa Motto-"Justice, Paix, Travail"
International Disputes: Uganda's Lords Resistance Army seek refuge in DRC's National Park; boundary commission with Zambia
Quantity of Refugees Inside DRC and Origin of Said Refugees: 38, 028 (Rwanda), 98, 281 (Central African Republic) 27, 699 (Burundi)
Quantity of International Displaced Persons: 1,491,769
Quantity of Stateless Persons: 0
Human Trafficking Issues in DRC: Sex slavery, arrest of armed group commanders, little effort in addressing labor and crimes
Illicit Drug Trafficking/Usage Issues In DRC: one of the biggest producers of cannabis in Africa; transit pseudoephedrine through capital
Capital City: Kinshasa
Type of Government: Republic
Data of Independence: June 30, 1960
National Holidays: Independence Day - June 30
Chief of State: President Joseph Kabila
Head of Government: Prime Minister Augustin Matata Ponyo Mapon
Executive Branch and its Powers: President directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term);
Legislative Branch and its Powers: Bicameral Parliament or Parlament consists of the Senate (108 seats; members indirectly elected by provincial assemblies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) and the National Assembly
Judicial Branch and its Powers: Supreme Court of Justice (organized into legislative and judiciary sections and consists of 26 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
DRC's Ambassador to the United States: Ambassador Francois Balumuene
Location of DRC Embassy in the United States: 1726 M Street, NW, Suite 601, Washington, DC, 20036
Location of DRC Consulate(s) in the United States: New York
United States Ambassador to DRC: Ambassador James C. Swan
Location of the United States Embassy in DRC: 310 Avenue des Aviateurs, Kinshasa
Location of the United States Consulate(s) in DRC: N/A
DRC's Representative to the United Nations: H.E. Ambassador Ignace Gata Mavita wa Lufuta
Symbolism of the DRC Flag: Blue-Peace, Red-"blood of martyrs", yellow-wealth, star-"radiant future for the country"
National Symbol(s): Animal-Okapi, Nationa Motto-"Justice, Paix, Travail"
International Disputes: Uganda's Lords Resistance Army seek refuge in DRC's National Park; boundary commission with Zambia
Quantity of Refugees Inside DRC and Origin of Said Refugees: 38, 028 (Rwanda), 98, 281 (Central African Republic) 27, 699 (Burundi)
Quantity of International Displaced Persons: 1,491,769
Quantity of Stateless Persons: 0
Human Trafficking Issues in DRC: Sex slavery, arrest of armed group commanders, little effort in addressing labor and crimes
Illicit Drug Trafficking/Usage Issues In DRC: one of the biggest producers of cannabis in Africa; transit pseudoephedrine through capital