Timeline
Born in Kinshasa on 13 June.
Named UDPS National Secretary for external relations.
Elected to lead the UDPS and nominated as presidential candidate.
Sworn in as the fifth president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 24 January.
Formally ended his two-year coalition with Kabila and his allies, forming a new government.
Re-elected for a second term in the presidential election.
Targeted in a failed coup attempt on 19 May.
Biography
Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo is the fifth president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, serving since 2019. He was elected in the December 2018 general election, a victory upheld by the Constitutional Court despite accusations of irregularities. This election marked the first peaceful transition of power in the DRC since its independence in 1960. Tshisekedi initially faced governance limitations due to his predecessor's coalition controlling parliament, but later formed new governments. He was re-elected in December 2023 and survived a failed coup attempt in May 2024. He has focused on domestic reforms and reviewing international mining contracts.
Early Life & Background
Born in Kinshasa on 13 June 1963, Félix Tshisekedi is a member of the Luba ethnic group. His parents are Marthe and Étienne Tshisekedi, the latter having served as a three-time Prime Minister of Zaire and an opposition leader. Félix enjoyed a comfortable youth in the capital until his father formed the UDPS and publicly opposed Mobutu. This led to Félix accompanying his father into house arrest in their native village in central Kasaï, which interrupted his studies. In 1985, he, his mother, and brothers were permitted by Mobutu to leave Kasaï.
Education
Unavailable. The text states his studies were put on hold during his father's house arrest, but does not mention any specific educational institutions or degrees obtained.
Political & Professional Career
Félix Tshisekedi's political career began in late 2008 when he was named the UDPS National Secretary for external relations. In November 2011, he obtained a seat in the National Assembly for Mbuji Mayi but did not take it, citing a fraudulent election, leading to its invalidation. He refused a rapporteur position at the Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI) in May 2013. In October 2016, he became vice secretary general of the UDPS. Following his father's death, he was elected to lead the UDPS on 31 March 2018, and was nominated as the party's presidential candidate. He was announced the winner of the December 2018 election on 10 January 2019, and sworn in as the fifth president of the DRC on 24 January 2019. He was re-elected for a second term in December 2023.
Key Achievements & Legacy
Achieved the first peaceful transition of power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since its independence in 1960., Pardoned approximately 700 prisoners, including political opponents, and allowed the return of exiles., Successfully ended a power-sharing coalition with his predecessor's allies and formed a new government., Re-elected for a second presidential term in December 2023., Foiled an attempted coup against his government in May 2024., Pledged to end and reverse deforestation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by 2030.