# Étienne Tshisekedi

> Democratic Republic of Congo Prime Minister (1932-2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q168629](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q168629)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Étienne_Tshisekedi)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/etienne-tshisekedi

## Summary

Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba was a Congolese politician who served as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Born on December 14, 1932, he became one of the most prominent opposition leaders in Congolese politics, known for his long-standing advocacy for democracy and social progress. He passed away on February 1, 2017.

## Biography

- **Born**: December 14, 1932
- **Died**: February 1, 2017
- **Full Name**: Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba
- **Nationality**: Democratic Republic of the Congo
- **Education**: Lovanium University (the first university in the Belgian Congo, founded in 1954)
- **Known for**: Serving as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; founding and leading the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS)
- **Employer(s)**: Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS)
- **Field(s)**: Politics; Government

## Contributions

Étienne Tshisekedi made significant contributions to Congolese politics through his long career:

- **Founded the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS)**: Established on February 15, 1982, in Kinshasa, UDPS became one of the most influential opposition political parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

- **Served as Prime Minister**: He held the position of Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, serving as the head of government.

- **Advocacy for Democracy**: Throughout his career, Tshisekedi was a prominent advocate for democratic governance and social progress in the DRC.

- **Educational Background**: As a graduate of Lovanium University, he was part of the first generation of Congolese intellectuals educated at the country's first university, which played a crucial role in the intellectual development of the Belgian Congo.

## FAQs

**When was Étienne Tshisekedi born and when did he die?**

Étienne Tshisekedi was born on December 14, 1932, and died on February 1, 2017.

**What was Étienne Tshisekedi's educational background?**

Étienne Tshisekedi was educated at Lovanium University, which was the first university established in the Belgian Congo (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), founded in 1954.

**What political party did Étienne Tshisekedi lead?**

Étienne Tshisekedi founded and led the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), a major political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, founded on February 15, 1982, and headquartered in Kinshasa.

**What was Étienne Tshisekedi's full name?**

His full name was Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba.

**What position did Étienne Tshisekedi hold?**

Étienne Tshisekedi served as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

## Why They Matter

Étienne Tshisekedi matters in Congolese history as a foundational figure in the country's modern political landscape. As the founder of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), he established one of the earliest organized opposition parties in the DRC, providing a vehicle for democratic advocacy during periods of authoritarian rule. His education at Lovanium University placed him among the first generation of Congolese intellectuals to receive higher education at the nation's pioneering university, which separated from the Catholic University of Leuven in 1960 to become independent. His role as Prime Minister represented the culmination of his political career, making him one of the most recognizable political figures in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The UDPS continued to be a significant political force long after its founding, shaping the country's multi-party political system. Without Tshisekedi's leadership and advocacy, the political opposition in the DRC would have lacked a major institutional voice during critical periods of the nation's development.

## Notable For

- Founding the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) in 1982
- Serving as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Being a graduate of Lovanium University, the first university in the Belgian Congo
- Leading one of the most prominent opposition parties in Congolese history
- Full name: Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba was born on December 14, 1932. He belonged to the first generation of Congolese intellectuals to receive higher education at Lovanium University, which was the first university established in the Belgian Congo. Founded in 1954, Lovanium University was initially affiliated with the Catholic University of Leuven before separating in 1960 to become an independent institution. The university was located in Kinshasa (then known as Léopoldville) and was founded by Honoré Marie Louis Van Waeyenbergh. This educational background positioned Tshisekedi among the educated elite who would later play significant roles in Congolese governance following independence.

### Political Career

Tshisekedi's political career was defined by his founding of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) on February 15, 1982. The party was established in Kinshasa and became one of the most influential opposition political parties in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The UDPS advocated for democratic governance and social progress, representing a significant force for political opposition in the country. Throughout his career, Tshisekedi remained the leader of this political organization, which continued to be a major player in Congolese politics even after his death.

### Prime Ministership

Étienne Tshisekedi served as Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, holding the highest civil public office in the national government. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a sovereign state located in Central Africa, with its capital at Kinshasa. The country gained independence on June 30, 1960, and has undergone significant political transformations, including being known as Zaire from 1971 to 1997 before adopting its current name. As Prime Minister, Tshisekedi was responsible for heading the government and overseeing the administration of the country.

### Legacy and Influence

Tshisekedi's legacy extends beyond his tenure as Prime Minister. His founding of the UDPS created a lasting institutional framework for democratic opposition in the DRC. The party remained active and influential in Congolese politics, continuing to advocate for the values of democracy and social progress that Tshisekedi championed. His educational background at Lovanium University connected him to the intellectual tradition of higher education in the Congo, representing the development of Congolese leadership from the country's first university. He passed away on February 1, 2017, leaving behind a political legacy that continued to influence Congolese politics through the UDPS party he founded.

## References

1. Dictionary of African Biography
2. Integrated Authority File
3. Database of Cabinet Politics in Sub-Sahara Africa
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. Find a Grave
7. BnF authorities
8. Munzinger Personen
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. IdRef