# Laurent-Désiré Kabila

_Former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1939-2001)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/laurent-desire-kabila
Last updated: 2026-11-08

> Laurent-Désiré Kabila, usually known as Laurent Kabila or Kabila the Father, was a Congolese rebel and politician who served as the third president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1997 until his assassination in 2001. While serving as president, he was also the minister of defense.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 27 November 1939 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Moba ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P19))
- **Died:** 16 January 2001 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P570))
- **Place of death:** Kinshasa ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Democratic Republic of the Congo ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P106))
- **Political party:** independent politician (since 1998); Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo (1996–1998); Party of the People's Revolution (1968–1996) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P102))
- **Education:** University of Dar es Salaam; University of Belgrade; University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P69))
- **Spouse:** Sifa Mahanya ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P26))
- **Positions held:** President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (16 May 1997 – 16 January 2001) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P39))
- **Awards:** National Order of the Leopard ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547#P166))

## Questions

**When was Laurent-Désiré Kabila born?**  
Laurent-Désiré Kabila was born on 27 November 1939 in Moba.

**What positions has Laurent-Désiré Kabila held?**  
Positions held by Laurent-Désiré Kabila include: President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–2001).

**Where did Laurent-Désiré Kabila study?**  
Laurent-Désiré Kabila was educated at University of Dar es Salaam, University of Belgrade, University of Belgrade Faculty of Philosophy.

## Related

- [Joseph Kabila](https://diginpl.com/people/joseph-kabila)
- [Mobutu Sese Seko](https://diginpl.com/people/mobutu-sese-seko)
- [Joseph Kasa-Vubu](https://diginpl.com/people/joseph-kasa-vubu)
- [Félix Tshisekedi](https://diginpl.com/people/felix-tshisekedi)
- [Eddy Kapend](https://diginpl.com/people/eddy-kapend)
- [Barthélemy Mukenge](https://diginpl.com/people/barthelemy-mukenge)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Laurent-Désiré Kabila](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurent-D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9_Kabila) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q135547](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q135547) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Visit of Laurent Désiré Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the EC (cropped).jpg by Etienne Scholasse, European Communities (CC BY 4.0)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Visit_of_Laurent_D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9_Kabila,_President_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_Congo,_to_the_EC_(cropped).jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Laurent-Désiré Kabila, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Visit of Laurent Désiré Kabila, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the EC (cropped).jpg — Etienne Scholasse, European Communities, CC BY 4.0.

## Cite this page

"Laurent-Désiré Kabila". DigiNepal. Last updated 8 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/laurent-desire-kabila. Retrieved 14 November 2026.