Palais de la Nation (Kinshasa)
| Palais de la Nation | |
|---|---|
Southwards-facing view of the Palais de la nation and its gardens taken in 1986 | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Classical Modernism |
| Town or city | Gombe, Kinshasa |
| Country | Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Current tenants | Félix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Construction started | 1924 |
| Completed | June 1960 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Marcel Lambrichs |
The Palace of the Nation (French: Palais de la Nation) is the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is situated in Gombe, in the northern part of Kinshasa, next to the Congo River. It has held this role since 2001, following the assassination of Laurent-Désiré Kabila.
Constructed in 1956 based on Marcel Lambrichs' design, the palais was initially conceived as the residence for the colonial Governor-General. After independence from Belgium, in 1960, the Palais metamorphosed into a symbol of the new state. The official proceedings commemorating the nation's newfound autonomy, including King Baudouin's Proclamation, declaring the Congo's independence and Patrice Lumumba's speech denouncing colonialism, took place in the palais on June 30. After the nation's independence, the residence briefly served as the seat of the Congolese parliamentary body, which now convenes in the People's Palace.
In the aftermath of the reconstruction and revival of the Congolese state following the fall of Mobutu Sese Seko, a mausoleum honoring Laurent-Désiré Kabila was erected near the palace's entrance.