Congo, Democratic Republic of the

Mobutu Sese Seko

Politician

Mobutu Sese Seko Kuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga was the President of Republic of the Congo, which Mobutu renamed Zaire in 1971, from 1965 to 1997. Installed and supported in office primarily by Belgium and the United States, he formed an authoritarian regime, amassed vast personal wealth, and attempted to purge the country of all colonial cultural influence while enjoying considerable support by the United States due to his anti-communist stance. During the Congo Crisis, Belgian and US-backed forces aided Mobutu in a coup against the nationalist government of Patrice Lumumba in 1960 to take control of the government. Lumumba was the first leader in the country to be democratically elected and was killed by a Katangese firing squad; Mobutu soon became the army chief of staff. He took power directly in a second coup in 1965. As part of his program of “national authenticity”, Mobutu changed the Congo's name to Zaïre in 1971 and his own name to Mobutu Sese Seko in 1972. Mobutu established a single-party state in which all power was concentrated in his hands. He also became the object of a pervasive cult of personality. During his reign, Mobutu built a highly centralized state and amassed a large personal fortune through economic exploitation and corruption, leading some to call his rule a “kleptocracy”. The nation suffered from uncontrolled inflation, a large debt, and massive currency devaluations. By 1991, economic deterioration and unrest led him to agree to share power with opposition leaders, but he used the army to thwart change until May 1997, when rebel forces led by Laurent Kabila expelled him from the country. Already suffering from prostate cancer, he died three months later in Morocco.

Christian Benteke

Soccer Midfielder

Christian Benteke Liolo is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for Aston Villa in the Premier League and the Belgian national team.

Dikembe Mutombo

Basketball Center

Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, commonly referred to as Dikembe Mutombo, is a Congolese American retired professional basketball player who last played for the Houston Rockets of the NBA. Outside basketball, he has become known for his humanitarian work. The 7 ft 2 in, 260-pound center is commonly referred to as one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players of all time, winning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. He was also an eight-time All-Star. On January 10, 2007, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the league's second most prolific shot blocker, in terms of career blocked shots, in NBA history, behind only Hakeem Olajuwon. In the second game of the first round of the 2009 NBA playoffs, Mutombo suffered a knee injury that kept him out for the remainder of the postseason. Soon after the injury, Mutombo announced he had played his last game in the NBA.

Claude Makélélé

Soccer

Claude Makélélé Sinda is a French former footballer and coach who is currently Laurent Blanc's assistant coach at Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. Prior to joining Paris Saint-Germain, Makélélé played for Nantes, Olympique de Marseille, Celta Vigo, Real Madrid and Chelsea. In homage to Makélélé, many fans and pundits alike have dubbed the defensive midfield position as the "Makélélé Role."

José Bosingwa

Soccer

José Bosingwa da Silva, known as Bosingwa, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Trabzonspor in Turkey, as a right back. An attacking fullback, his pace and ability to get up and down the flanks creates problems for the opposition. He spent most of his professional career with Porto and Chelsea, winning 15 major titles both clubs combined, including the 2012 Champions League. A Portuguese international in the 2000s, Bosingwa represented the nation at Euro 2008.

Maître Gims

Songwriter

Gandhi Djuna better known by his stage name Maître Gims, is a French rapper. He is part of the rap group Sexion d'Assaut but is currently developing his solo career.

Anthony Vanden Borre

Soccer Midfielder

Anthony Vanden Borre is a Belgian footballer who plays as defender for Anderlecht. He has been capped over 20 times for the Belgium national team and is capable of playing as both a right back and a right winger.

Koffi Olomidé

Singer

Antoine Christophe Agbepa Mumba, also known as Koffi Olomide, is a DR Congolese soukous singer, dancer, producer, and composer. He is also known by a multitude of other names and aliases.

Joseph Kabila

Politician

Joseph Kabila Kabange is a Congolese politician who has been President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since January 2001. He took office ten days after the assassination of his father, President Laurent-Désiré Kabila. He was elected as President in 2006. In 2011, he was re-elected for a second term.

Dieumerci Mbokani

Soccer Forward

Dieudonne "Brzi" Mbokani Bezua is a Congolese professional footballer who plays as a centre-forward for FC Dynamo Kyiv. He has previously played for VfL Wolfsburg, Monaco, Standard Liège and TP Mazembe.

Fabrice Muamba

Soccer

Fabrice Ndala Muamba is a retired professional footballer who played for Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers as a central midfielder. Born in Zaire, Muamba moved to England at the age of 11, and subsequently played for the England under-21 team. Muamba began his career in 2002, joining Arsenal's youth academy. After three years, he turned professional in 2005. He made his debut for Arsenal in the League Cup, but played only one other professional match for the club. Following a loan spell with Birmingham City, he made the move permanent in 2007. He stayed with Birmingham City for one additional year, and left after making more than 70 appearances and making his England under-21 debut while with the team. He joined Bolton Wanderers in 2008. In March 2012, Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur, from which he recovered despite his heart having stopped for more than an hour. Following medical advice, he announced his retirement from professional football in August 2012.

Lomana LuaLua

Soccer

Trésor Lomana LuaLua is a Congolese footballer who plays for Karabükspor and the Congo DR national team. LuaLua was born in Kinshasa, but moved to England at a young age. After impressing in a college football match, he signed for Colchester United. There, he scored a total of 21 goals in 68 appearances which prompted Newcastle United to sign him. However, the competition for places meant he was less of a regular in the first team, and after four seasons and 88 appearances, he transferred to Portsmouth, the club that had previously loaned him for three months while at Newcastle. He remained there for three seasons, but his spell was marred by disciplinary problems and malaria. After this, he moved to Greek club Olympiacos and spent a season there, helping them to win their fourth straight Super League Greece title, before joining Al-Arabi in 2008. LuaLua received his first cap in 2002, and has since represented his national team in the 2004 and 2006 Africa Cup of Nations. LuaLua is also known for setting up the LuaLua Foundation, which provides care for orphans in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and for being a patron for the Haslar Visitors Group. He has a brother, Kazenga LuaLua, who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion, and two cousins who play professional football, Albacete striker Trésor Kandol and Crystal Palace's Yannick Bolasie. During the 2006 African Cup of Nations, LuaLua's son died of pneumonia and he considered retiring from football after receiving abuse over the internet. However, he continued playing.

Steve Mandanda

Soccer

Steve Mandanda is a French international footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for French club Marseille in Ligue 1, where he serves as first-choice captain. Mandanda played for Le Havre and is also a French international. He has represented France at three international tournaments; UEFA Euro 2008, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2012.

Péguy Luyindula

Soccer

Péguy Makanda Luyindula is a French footballer who plays as a striker or midfielder for the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.

Leroy Lita

Soccer

Leroy Halirou Bohari Lita is a footballer who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion, on loan from Swansea City. Lita was a product of the Chelsea youth system. He failed to play for Chelsea, and moved to Bristol City and Reading, where his form helped him earn a place with the England under-21 side. He has also played on loan with Charlton Athletic, Norwich City and Birmingham City.

Jessy Matador

Zouk Artist

Jessy Kimbangi, better known by his stage name Jessy Matador, is a Congolese-French singer.

D. J. Mbenga

Basketball Center

Didier Ilunga-Mbenga, commonly referred to as D. J. Mbenga, is a Belgian professional basketball player. He has also played for the Belgian national basketball team.

David Norris

Politician

David Patrick Bernard Norris is an Irish scholar, independent Senator, and gay and civil rights activist. Internationally, Norris is credited with having "managed, almost single-handedly, to overthrow the anti-homosexuality law which brought about the downfall of Oscar Wilde", a feat he achieved in 1988 after a fourteen-year campaign. He has also been credited with being "almost single-handedly responsible for rehabilitating James Joyce in once disapproving Irish eyes". Norris is a former university lecturer and a member of the Oireachtas, serving in Seanad Éireann since 1987. He was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in Ireland. Founder of the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform, he is also a prominent member of the Church of Ireland. He was a candidate for President of Ireland in the October 2011 election. He topped numerous opinion polls and was favourite among members of the Irish public for the position but withdrew from the race months before the election, before returning to the race in September 2011.

Bismack Biyombo

Basketball Center

Bismack Biyombo Sumba is a Congolese professional basketball center with the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association. Biyombo was selected with the 7th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings and subsequently traded to the Charlotte Bobcats.

Cédric Makiadi

Soccer Midfielder

Mapuata Cédric Makiadi is a Congolese international footballer who plays professionally for German side Werder Bremen, as a midfielder.

Frank T.

Singer

Laurent Nkunda

Politician

Laurent Nkunda is a former General in the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and is the former warlord operating in the province of Nord-Kivu, sympathetic to Congolese Tutsis and the Tutsi-dominated government of neighbouring Rwanda. Nkunda, who is himself a Congolese Tutsi, commanded the former DRC troops of the 81st and 83rd Brigades of the DRC Army. He speaks English, French, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Lingala and Kinande. On January 22, 2009, he was put under house arrest in Gisenyi when he was called for a meeting to plan a joint operation between the Congolese and Rwandan militaries.

Gaby Mudingayi

Soccer Midfielder

Gabriel "Gaby" Mudingayi is a Belgian footballer who plays for Internazionale of Italy's Serie A. He plies his trade as a defensive midfielder and is known for his high-work rate and heavy tackling.

Calvin Zola

Soccer

Calvin Zola-Makongo, often known simply as Calvin Zola, is a professional footballer who currently plays as a centre forward for Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen.

Tabu Ley Rochereau

Soukous Artist

Tabu Ley Rochereau is a musician from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is the leader of Orchestre Afrisa International and one of Africa's most influential vocalists and prolific songwriters. Along with guitarist Dr Nico Kasanda, Tabu Ley pioneered soukous; he internationalised his music by fusing elements of Congolese folk music with Cuban, Caribbean, and Latin American rumba.

Youssouf Mulumbu

Soccer

Youssouf Mulumbu is a Congolese footballer who plays for West Bromwich Albion as a midfielder.

Francois Luambo Makiadi

Soukous Artist

François Luambo Luanzo Makiadi was a major figure in twentieth century Congolese music, and African music in general. He is widely referred to as Franco Luambo or, simply, Franco. Known for his mastery of rumba, he was nicknamed the "Sorcerer of the Guitar" for his seemingly effortlessly fluid playing. As a founder of the seminal group OK Jazz, he is counted as one of the originators of the modern Congolese sound.

Moise Tshombe

Politician

Moïse Kapenda Tshombe was a Congolese politician, in the country now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Myck Kabongo

Basketball Guard

Myck Kabongo is a Canadian professional basketball player. He played two seasons at the University of Texas Longhorns men's basketball team before going undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft.

Jean-Pierre Bemba

Politician

Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo is a politician in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was one of four vice-presidents in the transitional government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 17 July 2003 to December 2006. Bemba also leads the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, a rebel group turned political party. He received the second highest number of votes in the 2006 presidential election. In January 2007 he was elected to the Senate. He was arrested near Brussels on 24 May 2008 on the basis of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Although he was originally charged with three counts of crimes against humanity and five counts of war crimes, in October 2010, the ICC reduced the charges to two counts of crimes against humanity and three counts of war crimes.

Blaise Nkufo

Soccer

Blaise Isetsima Nkufo is a retired Congolese-born Swiss footballer. Nkufo played professionally in Switzerland, Qatar, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. Nkufo was also a member of the Swiss national team, having won 34 caps and scored seven goals. He played for them at the 2010 World Cup.

Jacques Maghoma

Soccer Midfielder

Jacques Ilonda Maghoma is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sheffield Wednesday. He has also played for Tottenham Hotspur and Burton Albion where he was the player of the season in season 2012-13.

Ariza Makukula

Soccer

Ariza Makukula is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for OFI Crete in the Superleague Greece, as a centre forward.

Kazenga LuaLua

Soccer Midfielder

Kazenga LuaLua is a Congolese-English footballer who plays as a winger for Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion.

Joseph Kasa-Vubu

Politician

Joseph Kasa-Vubu was the first President of the Republic of the Congo, today called Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Trésor Mputu

Soccer Midfielder

Trésor Mputu is a Congolese football striker who plays for Congoese side TP Mazembe, and he is the current captain of Mazembe and the Democratic Republic of the Congo national football team. He has been described by former Cameroon and current Democratic Republic of the Congo coach Claude Le Roy as being "the next Samuel Eto'o", who he picked for the 1998 World Cup in France as a 17 year-old.

Dominick Kumbela

Soccer

Domi Kumbela, also known by his nickname Dominick, is a DR Congolese football player currently playing for Eintracht Braunschweig in the Bundesliga.

Kiki Musampa

Soccer Midfielder

Kizito "Kiki" Musampa is a Congolese-born, and Dutch-nationalised former footballer. Musampa had a journeyman career, taking in notable spells at AFC Ajax, Bordeaux, Malaga CF, Atlético Madrid and Manchester City, he also earned 28 caps representing the Netherlands at under-20 and under-21 levels. He was a left winger, well-known for his pace and free-kicks.

Lokua Kanza

Singer-songwriter

Lokua Kanza is a singer-songwriter from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is known for his soulful, folksy sound.

Cedrick Mabwati

Soccer Midfielder

Cedrick Mabwati Gerard, simply known as Cedrick, is a Congolese professional footballer who plays for Real Betis in Spain, as a winger.

Ilombe Mboyo

Soccer

Ilombe Mboyo is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for Genk, as a striker.

Jeremy Bokila

Soccer

Jeremy Loteteka Bokila is a Congolese-Dutch footballer, who plays as a forward for Russian Premier League team Terek Grozny and the DR Congo national team.

Étienne Tshisekedi

Politician

Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba is a politician who leads the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, a political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A long-time opposition leader, he served as Prime Minister of the country on three brief occasions: in 1991, 1992–1993, and 1997. Tshisekedi has been the primary Congolese opposition leader for decades. Although he served in the government of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in various positions, he also led the campaign against Mobutu, and was one of only a few politicians who challenged that dictator. Tshisekedi and his UDPS party boycotted the 2006 elections organized in Congo claiming that the elections were fraudulent and were already systematically rigged in advance. He was a candidate for President of Congo in the 2011 elections that many national and international observers, notably the Carter Center, have said lacked credibility and transparency. Having officially lost to incumbent Joseph Kabila, Tshisekedi nevertheless declared himself the "elected president" of Congo. Policemen and Kabila's presidential guards were subsequently stationed at every corner that gives entrance to Tshisekedi's residence, placing him under unofficial house arrest.

Steve Zakuani

Soccer Midfielder

Steve Zakuani is a Congolese association football player who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC in Major League Soccer. Born in Zaire, Zakuani grew up in London playing for the Arsenal youth academy before attending the University of Akron on a soccer scholarship. In 2008 he was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy and was named Soccer America men's collegiate player of the year. Zakuani's professional career began with Seattle Sounders FC in 2009. He was drafted by the MLS expansion club as the first pick of the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft on a Generation Adidas contract. In his first season he scored four goals and four assists and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year. In the 2010 season he increased his goal total to ten and scored Sounders FC's first ever playoff goal. On November 10, 2010, Zakuani made his first international soccer appearance representing DR Congo in a friendly match.

Christian Eyenga

Basketball Shooting guard

Christian Eyenga Moenge is a Congolese professional basketball player for Stelmet Zielona Góra of the Polish Basketball League. In June 2009, Eyenga was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 30th pick in that year's NBA Draft. When drafted, he played for the Spanish Third Division club Prat, an affiliate of the ACB club DKV Joventut.

Thomas Lubanga Dyilo

Organization founder

Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is a convicted war criminal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the first person ever convicted by the International Criminal Court. He founded and led the Union of Congolese Patriots and was a key player in the Ituri conflict. Rebels under his command have been accused of massive human rights violations, including ethnic massacres, murder, torture, rape, mutilation, and forcibly conscripting child soldiers. On 17 March 2006, Lubanga became the first person arrested under a warrant issued by the ICC. His trial, for the war crime of "conscripting and enlisting children under the age of fifteen years and using them to participate actively in hostilities", began on 26 January 2009, and he was found guilty on 14 March 2012. He faced a maximum sentence of 30 years. On 10 July 2012, Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court sentenced Lubanga to a total period of 14 years of imprisonment, also ordering that the time from Lubanga's surrender to the ICC in 2006 until the sentencing day should be deducted from the 14 year term, which means he will spend 8 more years in jail.

Britt Assombalonga

Soccer Midfielder

Britt Curtis Assombalonga is a Congolese footballer who plays for Peterborough United as a striker or winger. Assombalonga began his career at Watford, and had spells on loan at Wealdstone, Braintree Town and Southend United. He is the son of Fedor Assombalonga, a former Zaire international footballer who moved his family to London when Britt was eight months old.

Jody Lukoki

Soccer Winger

Jody Lukoki is a Dutch-Congolese professional football player, currently playing as a winger for Dutch side SC Cambuur, on loan from Ajax.

Kaysha

Musical Artist

Edward Mokolo Jr., better known by stage name Kaysha, is a singer/rapper and producer that works in places like the West indies, South America and Africa.

Ya Kid K

Singer

Ya Kid K. is a Congolese-Belgian hip hop artist. Her sister, Karoline 'Leki' Kamosi, is an R&B singer.

Jirès Kembo Ekoko

Soccer

Jirès Kembo Ekoko is a footballer from Democratic Republic of the Congo, who plays for Qatari club El Jaish on loan from Al Ain FC. His father is Kembo Uba Kembo, who played for DR Congo national team in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.

Kanda Bongo Man

Musical Artist

Kanda Bongo Man is a Congolese soukous musician. Kanda Bongo Man became the singer for Orchestra Belle Mambo in 1973, developing a sound influenced by Tabu Ley. His solo career only started to take off after moving to Paris in 1979, where his music started to incorporate elements of then-vibrant zouk music. His first solo albums, "Iyole" in 1981 and "Djessy" in 1982, were hits. He is known for the structural changes he implemented to soukous music. The previous approach was to sing several verses and have one guitar solo at the end of the song. Kanda Bongo Man revolutionized soukous by encouraging guitar solos after every verse and even sometimes at the beginning of the song. His form of soukous gave birth to the kwassa kwassa dance rhythm where the hips move back and forth while the hands move to follow the hips. Like many African rumba and soukous musicians before him, Kanda Bongo Man also had an entourage of musicians. Many of Kanda's musicians later moved on to start their own solo careers. Most notable of these was Diblo Dibala. Known as "Machine Gun", Diblo Dibala was a vital part of Kanda Bongo Man's lineup on several albums, including "Kwasa Kwasa" and "Amour Fou".

Gabriel Zakuani

Soccer

Gabriel Abdala Zakuani is a Congolese footballer who plays for Peterborough United. Zakuani began his career with Leyton Orient and was a vital member of the side which gained promotion in 2005–06 and also knocked Premier League side Fulham out of the FA Cup. He was signed by Fulham in August 2006 but failed to make an impact at Craven Cottage and he spent half the 2006–07 season and the whole of the 2007–08 season on loan at Stoke City with whom he helped gain promotion to the Premier League. He signed for Peterborough United in 2008–09 initially on loan before making the move permanent. With the "Posh" Zakuani gained promotion in 2008–09 but were then relegated in 2009–10. They gained an instant return by beating Huddersfield Town 3–0 in the 2011 League One play-off final.

Antipas Mbusa

Politician

Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi is a politician and former rebel leader in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He leads the Forces for Renewal political party and was Minister of Decentralization and Urban and Regional Planning until September 2011 when he resigned to run for President. He was previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2007 to 2008.

Mbo Mpenza

Soccer

Mbo Jérôme Mpenza is a retired Belgian footballer who played as a striker. He was capped by Belgium at international level, scoring three goals in 56 appearances. His younger brother, Émile, is also a footballer who has represented Belgium.

Geoffrey Mujangi Bia

Soccer Midfielder

Geoffrey Mujangi Bia is a DR Congo-born Belgian international footballer who plays as a midfielder for Standard Liège. He established himself in Belgian football with Charleroi before experiencing the English Premier League with a loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers. In 2011 he returned to Belgium to join Standard Liège.

Cédric Mongongu

Soccer

Cédric Mongongou is a French-Congolese footballer who plays as a centre back for Ligue 1 club Evian and the DR Congo national team.

Hérita Ilunga

Soccer

Hérita N'Kongolo Ilunga is a Congolese footballer who plays as a left back. He last played for Rennes. He has played previously for Espanyol B, Saint-Étienne, Toulouse, West Ham United and Doncaster Rovers. He has also played international football for Congo DR.

Danny Mwanga

Soccer

Jean-Marie Daniel "Danny" Mwanga is a Congolese-American footballer who currently plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.

Yannick Nyanga

Athlete

Yannick Nyanga is a professional rugby union player who plays flanker for Toulouse and France. He was a part of the victorious French team of the 2006 Six Nations Championship. Nyanga plays at flanker in the style of a classic carrier with explosive pace from the scrum and excellent ability to support backs in later phases of play and good leg muscles to drive through the tackle, although being relatively light for a back row forward he can contain larger and more physical opposite numbers in rucks and mauls.

Mbilia Bel

Musical Artist

M'bilia Bel is a Congolese rumba singer, known as the Queen of Congolese rumba. She rose to fame after being discovered by Tabu Ley Rochereau.

Sam Mangwana

Soukous Artist

Sam Mangwana, born February 21, 1945, is a Congolese musician, born to a Zimbabwean migrant father and an Angolan mother. He is the frontman of his bands Festival des maquisards and African All Stars. Mangwana was a member of François Luambo Makiadi's seminal band TPOK Jazz, and Tabu Ley Rochereau's bands African Fiesta, African Fiesta National and Afrisa International.

Ray Lema

Musical Artist

Raymond Lema A'nsi Nzinga, known as Ray Lema, is a Congolese musician, born 30 March 1946 in Lufu-Toto, Bas-Congo Province. Lema is a pianist, guitarist, and songwriter. He worked for the National Ballet of Zaire, as it was then called, and in 1979 was invited to the United States by the Rockefeller Foundation. By 1989 he had international success signing with Island Records. His initial training had been European classical music at a Catholic seminary where he had been planning to become a priest. His concert debut was Moonlight Sonata, but later he left the seminary and became interested in popular music from outside Africa. He became a performer in clubs and was a fan of musicians like Jimi Hendrix. This was not entirely approved of in the Congolese music of that time. He later went to the United States and Europe, settling in Paris. He has also become a figure in world music. He has also done work as a film composer. Lema appears as a vocalist on Stewart Copeland's 1985 album, The Rhythmatist. In 2002, Lema appeared on a track titled "No Agreement" on the Red Hot Organization's tribute album to Fela Kuti, Red Hot and Riot alongside Res, Tony Allen, Baaba Maal, Positive Black Soul and Archie Shepp.

Joël Tshibamba

Soccer

Joël Omari Tshibamba is a Dutch-Congolese footballer who plays as a forward for Danish Superliga club FC Vestsjælland.

Trésor Kandol

Soccer

Trésor Osmar Kandol is a Congolese international footballer. Currently playing for Crawley Wanderers FC. He last played for Isthmian League Premier Division side Hampton & Richmond Borough. He has also played for Barnet, Chesham United, Darlington, Dagenham & Redbridge, Thurrock, Bournemouth, Cambridge United, Luton Town and Leeds United in England, and Albacete in Spain. He usually celebrates his goals with a somersault, like his cousin Lomano Tresor LuaLua. Kandol became known as Kandola in Spain.

Pépé Kallé

Soukous Artist

Pépé Kallé, sometimes written as Pepe Kalle was a soukous singer, musician and bandleader from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pépé Kallé was born Kabasele Yampanya in Kinshasa in the Belgian Congo, but later assumed his pseudonym in hommage to his mentor, Le Grand Kallé. With a multi-octave vocal range and a dynamic stage presence, the 190 cm and 136 kg vocalist recorded more than three hundred songs and twenty albums during his two decade-long career. Known affectionately as "the elephant of African music" and "La Bombe Atomique," Kallé entertained audiences with his robust performances.

Sumbu Kalambay

Professional Boxer

Patrizio Sumbu Kalambay is an Italian former professional boxer who held the WBA middleweight championship. He was born in Zaire, moving to Italy during his youth, which is where he still resides.

Merveille Lukeba

Actor

Merveille Lukeba is a Congo born, British actor, best known for his role as Thomas Tomone in double BAFTA-winning E4 teen drama Skins. Born in Kinshasa, Zaire, he was raised in Woolwich, southeast London. He can speak fluent French and Lingala.

Assani Lukimya-Mulongoti

Soccer

Assani Lukimya-Mulongoti is a Congolese-German football player who plays for SV Werder Bremen as a defender.

Leki

Singer

Leki is the first female urban/R&B-pop star to rise out of Belgium. She is known for many hits including "Breakin' Out", "Spread my wings", "Over the Rainbow", and "Love me another day". She is also a TV presenter on VTM. Leki started at the early age of twelve laying down vocals for Technotronic. At the time, Leki's older sister Ya Kid K was the voice behind Technotronic whose successes include the global mega hit "Pump Up the Jam". In October 2009 she released her fourth studio album "Leki & The Sweet Mints". Leki is also sensitive to humanitarian projects in Africa where she is the godmother of a young farmers development activity in Uganda. Lately Leki decided to accomplish one of her father's dream: the building of a hospital in his natal village of Malambu in Congo. Via Nanda, the non-profit-making organization she has founded, and under the name "Bouwen aan leven" several initiatives -such as the single "Pecuiar places"- have been taken since 2010 to help raise funds, hoping that the hospital will be operational towards the end of 2013. On May 14, 2012 she released "Get Over" the first single from her upcoming 2012 album "The Journey".

Dioko Kaluyituka

Soccer Forward

Alain Dioko Kaluyituka is a DR Congo association football player who is currently playing for Al Ahli SC in the Qatar Stars League. He has represented his country Congo DR 30 times, scoring 9 times. He has also represented his former club TP Mazembe in International football in both CAF Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Déo Kanda

Soccer Midfielder

Deo Kanda A Mukok is a Congolese footballer who plays for Moroccan side Raja Casablanca as a forward.

Denis Mukwege

Award Winner

Denis Mukwege is a Congolese gynecologist. He founded and works in Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, where he specializes in the treatment of women who have been gang-raped by rebel forces, Mukwege has probably become the world's leading expert on how to repair the internal physical damage caused by gang rape. He has treated several thousands of women since the 1998 Congo's war, some of them more than once, performing up to 10 surgeries a day during his 18-hour working days. He has described how his patients arrive at the hospital sometimes naked, usually bleeding and leaking urine and faeces from torn vaginas.

Madilu System

Soukous Artist

Jean de Dieu Makiese, popularly known as Madilu System, was a soukous singer and songwriter, born in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo - what is today known as Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was once a member of the seminal soukous band TPOK Jazz which dominated the Congolese scene from 1960s through the 1980s.

Léon Kengo

Politician

Léon Kengo Wa Dondo served as the "first state commissioner" several times under Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaïre. He was one of the most powerful figures in the regime and was a strong advocate of economic globalization and free-market economics. Since 2007, he has been President of the Senate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Tshimanga Biakabutuka

American Football Running back

Tshimanga "Tim" Biakabutuka is a former American football running back for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL from 1996 to 2001.

Michél Mazingu-Dinzey

Soccer

Michél Mazingu-Sinda-Dinzey is a retired German-Congolese football player. He has played for several clubs in Germany, including FC St. Pauli, Hertha BSC, TSV 1860 München, Hannover 96 and Eintracht Braunschweig.

Muteba Kidiaba

Soccer

Robert Muteba Kidiaba is a Congolese international footballer who plays for TP Mazembe, as a goalkeeper.

Ali Lukunku

Soccer

Maboula "Ali" Lukunku is a former Congolese footballer.

Yves Debay

Journalist

Yves Debay, a veteran French-Belgian war correspondent who founded and reported for French-language magazines Raids and later Assaut, which is published out of Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, France. He was the first Belgian journalist to be killed in Syria.

Ritchie Kitoko

Soccer Midfielder

Ritchie Kitoko is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for Real Jaén on loan from Udinese Calcio, as a defensive midfielder.

Joseph Iléo

Politician

Joseph Iléo, later called Sombo Amba Ileo, was a politician in the Republic of the Congo and was prime minister for two periods.

Antoine Gizenga

Politician

Antoine Gizenga is a Congolese politician who was Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from December 30, 2006 to 10 October 2008. He is the Secretary-General of the Unified Lumumbist Party. Following independence, Gizenga served as Deputy Prime Minister as well as Prime Minister and Head of State in rebellion. His government at Stanleyville was recognized by 21 African, Asian and Eastern European countries in February 1961. He was imprisoned from January 1962 to July 1964 and again from October 1964 to November 1965. He was exiled from 1965 to 1992. Gizenga based his platform and political policies on those of Patrice Lumumba, Prime Minister at the time of independence for whom he served as Deputy Prime Minister and after Lumumba's murder as head of the rebel government. He was the presidential candidate of PALU in the July 2006 election. According to the provisional election results of 20 August, Gizenga came in third place with 13.06 percent of the vote, after Joseph Kabila and Jean-Pierre Bemba. On September 30, 2006, Gizenga signed a coalition agreement with the AMP, Kabila's platform, whereby he would back Kabila in the second round of the presidential election in October 2006, in exchange for the premiership. Kabila won the election and was sworn in as President on December 6, 2006. He subsequently appointed Gizenga as Informant, a position that involves identifying a parliamentary majority so that a government can be formed, and then appointed Gizenga as Prime Minister on December 30, 2006. Gizenga's new government, with 59 members, was appointed and announced on February 5, 2007. A new government under Gizenga was announced on November 25, 2007, with its size reduced to 44 ministers.

Vital Kamerhe

Politician

Vital Kamerhe is a Congolese politician. Former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and former Minister of Information, he is currently Honorary President of the National Assembly, founder and leader of the UNC party and candidate to the 2011 presidential election in the DRC.

Olive Lembe di Sita

Woman

Marie Olive Lembe di Sita is the current First Lady of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was the long-term fiancée of Congolese President Joseph Kabila whom she married on 17 June 2006, becoming her country's First Lady. In 2001, a daughter was born to the couple, Sifa Kabila, named after Kabila's own mother, and former first lady Sifa Mahanya.

Barbara Kanam

Soukous Artist

Barbara Kanam is an award-winning Congolese singer-songwriter, music producer and actress.

Mulota Kabangu

Soccer Midfielder

Mulota Patou "Papy" Kabangu is a Congolese football midfielder who plays for Al Ahli in the Qatar Stars League and DR Congo national football team.

Carlos Fernandes

Soccer

Carlos Alberto Fernandes, simply known as Carlos, is an Angolan professional footballer who plays for Moreirense F.C. as a goalkeeper.

Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya

Man

Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kinshasa and de facto primate of the Democratic Republic of Congo since his appointment by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007. Monsengwo Pasinya was born in Mongobele, Diocese of Inongo. He belongs to one of the royal families of Basakata; his second name, Monsengwo, means "nephew of the traditional chief". He did his initial ecclesiastical studies at the Seminary of Bokoro and furthered them at the Major Seminary of Kabwe. where he studied philosophy. He was sent to Rome to attend the Pontifical Urbaniana University, and the Pontifical Biblical Institute. He also studied at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Jerusalem, where he was awarded a doctorate in biblical studies. He is the first African to obtain such a doctorate. He studied there under Father Carlo Maria Martini, S.J., the future cardinal. He was ordained to the priesthood on 21 December 1963 in Rome. After his ordination he did pastoral work and served as a faculty member at the Theological Faculty of Kinshasa for several years. He served as secretary-general of the Congolese Episcopal Conference from 1976 to 1980.

René Makondele

Soccer Midfielder

René Makondele is a Congolese football midfielder who plays for BK Häcken.

Papy Abedi

Man

Mwimbi Papy Abedi is a Congolese-Swedish mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Roger Lukaku

Football player

Roger Menama Lukaku is a former Belgian/Congolese football player. He played for KV Oostende, KV Mechelen and Germinal Ekeren. He is the father of footballers Romelu Lukaku and Jordan Lukaku.

Albert Russo

Author

Albert Russo is a Belgian bilingual author of novels, short stories, essays and poems, as well as a photographer. His main themes are fighting racism of all stripes, and defending individual and collective rights, including ethnic, religious and gender rights.

Lelo Mbele

Soccer Forward

Blaise Lelo Mbele is a Congolese footballer who is currently playing for MC Alger in the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1. Lelo previously played for different professional clubs such as South African giants, Orlando Pirates FC and the Saudi Arabian club, Al-Hilal FC.