The Transitional ParlaimentLaurent Kabila (1997-2001)In the late 1990's, Laurent Kabila attempted a transitional parliament that would move from a dictatorship to a democratic Republic, located in the previous Katanga Parliament in the southern town of Lubumbashi. This was to give his regime more credibility and unite the country under his rule. Kabila was assassinated on 16 January 2001. His son, Joseph, was the new Head of state.
Joseph Kabila (2001-2006)Joseph Kabila continued the Transitional Parliament, but replaced the entire cabinet with a group of technocrats. His goal was to further the development of the country and officially end the Second Congo War.
The Peace AgreementIn October 2002, President Kabila got Rwandan forces to withdraw from eastern Congo. In December, the warring factions signed a peace agreement that established a Transition Government. This would allow representattion for all parties if they negotiated. Thus, the Transition Constitution and the Global and Inclusive Agreement were created and describe the composition of the Congolese institutions. In July 2006, elections will yield a new constitution approved by referendum in December 2005.
The Global and All-Inclusive AgreementThe Global and All-Inclusive Agreement, signed on 17 December 2002, in Pretoria, established one President and four Vice-Presidents. The Vice-Presidents were derived from the government, the Rally for Congolese Democracy, the MLC, and from civil society. After elections in 2006, the Vice-Presidency expired.
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The Transitional ConstitutionThe Legislative branchThe Inter-Congolese dialogue created the transitional institutions that changed from a dictatorship to a Democratic Republic. There was a bicameral parliament, with a National Assembly and Senate, with representatives from the party appointed to the dialogue. These parties incorporated the past government of: rebel groups fighting against the government with Rwandan and Ugandan support, the internal opposition parties, and the Civil Society.
Until recently, The National Assembly is headed by the MLC with Speaker Hon. Olivier Kamitatu. The Senate is headed by a representative of the Civil Society, namely the head of the Church of Christ in Congo, Mgr. Pierre Marini Bodho. Hon. Kamitatu recently left the MLC and the Parliament to lead his independant party and support current President Joseph Kabila. The succeeding Speaker was Hon.Thomas Luhaka (MLC). The Senate could create a new constitution for the DRC. This passed a referendum in December 2005, and was implemented into law on February 18, 2006. The Judicial BranchUnder the Transitional Constitution, the Judicial Branch was technically independent, yet paid deference to the Central Committee. The Central Committee controlled the Judicial council.
Administrative DivisionsUnder the Transitional Constitution, there are 10 provinces: Bandundu, Bas-Congo, Équateur, Kasai-Occidental,Kasai-Oriental, Katanga, Maniema, North Kivu, Orientale. Each province is divided into districts, and there was one city, Kinshasa.
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