The year 2019 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was marked by a series of political, security, economic, and public‑health developments.
Incumbents
- President: Joseph Kabila (until 24 January), succeeded by Félix Tshisekedi (from 24 January).
- Prime Minister: Bruno Tshibala (until 7 August), succeeded by Sylvestre Ilunga (from 7 August).
Political events
- Presidential election: The DRC held its long‑delayed presidential election on 30 December 2018. The results were announced on 10 January 2019, confirming Félix Tshisekedi as president. The transition ended Joseph Kabila’s twelve‑year tenure.
- Government formation: After prolonged negotiations among major political parties, a coalition government was formed in August 2019 under Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga. The cabinet included members from the ruling Common Front for Congo (FCC) and the opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS).
Security and conflict
- Ongoing armed conflict in the eastern provinces (Ituri, North Kivu, South Kivu) continued to cause civilian casualties and displacement. United Nations peacekeeping mission MONUSCO reported several hundred civilian deaths and thousands of injuries throughout the year.
- The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) carried out operations against various rebel groups, including the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and Mai‑Mai militias. Sporadic clashes resulted in displacement of local populations.
Humanitarian situation
- The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated that more than 5 million people required humanitarian assistance, primarily due to conflict‑related displacement and food insecurity.
- Health crises included outbreaks of cholera and measles, with the Ministry of Health reporting several hundred confirmed cholera cases and over 1 000 measles deaths, predominantly among children.
Economy
- The DRC’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an estimated 5 % in 2019, driven by mining output, particularly copper and cobalt. However, macro‑economic challenges persisted, including inflation (approximately 5 % annually) and a large fiscal deficit.
- International investors expressed cautious optimism following the peaceful presidential transition, but concerns about regulatory stability and corruption remained.
Infrastructure and development
- The government inaugurated several road rehabilitation projects aimed at improving transport links between Kinshasa and interior mining regions.
- The national electric utility, Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL), began pilot projects to expand renewable‑energy capacity, though electricity access remained below 10 % of the population.
International relations
- The DRC continued to engage with regional bodies such as the African Union (AU) and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) to address cross‑border security issues.
- Relations with the United States and European Union focused on democratic governance, anti‑corruption reforms, and support for MONUSCO.
Cultural events
- The 23rd edition of the Pan‑African Film Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) featured several Congolese films highlighting contemporary social issues.
- National holidays, including Independence Day on 30 June, were observed with official ceremonies in Kinshasa and provincial capitals.
