Étienne Tshisekedi
Étienne Tshisekedi | |
|---|---|
Tshisekedi in 2011 | |
| Prime Minister of Zaire | |
| In office 2 April 1997 – 9 April 1997 | |
| President | Mobutu Sese Seko |
| Preceded by | Léon Kengo wa Dondo |
| Succeeded by | Likulia Bolongo |
| In office 15 August 1992 – 18 March 1993 | |
| President | Mobutu Sese Seko |
| Preceded by | Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond |
| Succeeded by | Faustin Birindwa |
| In office 29 September 1991 – 1 November 1991 | |
| President | Mobutu Sese Seko |
| Preceded by | Mulumba Lukoji |
| Succeeded by | Bernardin Mungul Diaka |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba 14 December 1932 Luluabourg, Belgian Congo (now Kananga, Kasaï-Occidental, Congo-Kinshasa) |
| Died | 1 February 2017 (aged 84) Brussels, Belgium |
| Political party | Union for Democracy and Social Progress |
| Spouse | Marthe Jibikila (?–2017; his death) |
| Children | Félix Tshisekedi, Christian Tshisekedi |
| Alma mater | Lovanium University |
Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba also Known as Tshisekedi The Father (14 December 1932 – 1 February 2017) was a Congolese politician and the leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), formerly the main opposition political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). A long-time opposition leader, he served as Prime Minister of the country (then called Zaire) on three brief occasions: in 1991, 1992–1993, and 1997. He was also the father of the current President, Felix Tshisekedi.
Tshisekedi was the main Congolese opposition leader for decades. Although he served in the government of Mobutu Sese Seko in various positions, he also led the campaign against Mobutu, and was one of few politicians who challenged the dictator.
Tshisekedi and his UDPS party boycotted the 2006 elections organized in Congo on claims that elections were fraudulent and were 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. His son Félix became president in 2019.