Meet Joseph Kabila: the World’s first Head of government Born in the 1970s
Joseph Kabila, whose full name is Joseph Kabila Kabange, was born on June 4, 1971, in Hewa Bora, a village in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). He is the son of Laurent-Désiré Kabila, the former President of the DRC.
Early Life
Kabila grew up in a politically active environment, witnessing his father’s involvement in the armed struggle against the dictatorship of Mobutu Sese Seko. He received military training in Tanzania and Uganda during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Kabila later became a key figure in the rebel movement that eventually overthrew Mobutu and brought his father to power.
Political Career
In 1997, Laurent-Désiré Kabila assumed the presidency of the DRC, and Joseph Kabila began his political journey by holding various positions in his father’s government. He served as an adviser and military officer, rising through the ranks and gaining experience in military and political affairs.
Tragedy struck in January 2001 when Laurent-Désiré Kabila was assassinated. Joseph Kabila, at the age of 29, assumed the presidency, becoming the youngest president in the history of the DRC. He focused on stabilizing the country, which was marred by political turmoil, armed conflicts, and regional unrest.
During his presidency, Kabila faced numerous challenges, including the Second Congo War, which involved multiple armed groups and neighboring countries. He sought to address the conflict through diplomatic negotiations and international interventions, aiming to restore peace and stability in the region.
In 2006, Kabila won the first multiparty elections held in the DRC since its independence. He was reelected in 2011, amidst allegations of electoral fraud and criticism from opposition groups. His presidency was characterized by both progress and controversies, as he faced criticism over governance, human rights abuses, and the management of the country’s vast mineral resources.
After serving two consecutive terms, Kabila’s presidency came to an end in 2019 following the elections held in December 2018. He stepped down, and Félix Tshisekedi assumed the presidency.
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Personal Life (Wife and Children)
On June 1, 2006, Joseph Kabila married Olive Lembe di Sita. The wedding ceremonies were held on June 17, 2006. The couple has a daughter named Sifa, born in 2001, who was named after Kabila’s mother.
Their wedding ceremonies were ecumenical due to Kabila being Protestant and Lembe di Sita being Catholic. The ceremonies were officiated by both Cardinal Frederic Etsou Bamungwabi, the Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa, and Pierre Marini Bodho, the presiding bishop of the Church of Christ in Congo, which is the umbrella church for most denominations in the Congo and is commonly known as “The Protestant Church.”
In July 2021, Joseph Kabila completed his master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations through distance learning. He received the certification from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
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Net Worth
He has an estimated net worth of $5 Million
