The following are political challenges that the democratic republic of Congo has faced since independence.
- There was general lack of preparedness of the people for independence. Foreigners controlled even the army and the police.
- The assassination of Patrice Lumumba in 1961, which plunged the country into the Congo crisis.
- Political instability/military coup d’état. In November 1965, Mobutu organized a military coup. In 1997, Kabila ousted Mobutu
- Ethnic differences/tribal clashes/civil wars, which split the country into two parts at independence. One controlled by Lumumba and another controlled by Kasavubu.
- The problem of Secession. Secessionist movement of the Katanga region (Shaba) led by Tsombe and Kasai under Kilonji seceded.
- Foreign interference/intrigues. Belgium constantly interfered and intervened in Zaire’s internal matters. France and Britain also began to interfere from 1977 during the cold war period.
- Mutinies in the army were common.
