Political structure of the State of Katanga overview

The Constitution of Katanga is the Supreme Law of the State of Katanga, implemented on August 5, 1960. It had 66 articles upon creation, and sets out the political structure of Katanga, the duties, responsibilities and authority of the central government, and the rights of it's citizens.

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Coat of Arms of the State of Katanga. Presented on all legal and government documents, and on all banknotes.

Parties

Katanga's politics has been dominated by three parties: the nationalist, tribalist, center-right Confederation of Tribal Associations of Katanga (CONAKAT), the General Association of the Baluba of Katanga (BALUBAKAT), a center-left party advocating the unity of the largest ethnic group of Katanga, the Luba people, and more recently Union Katangaise (UNIKAT) a leftist party advocating national unity, economic growth and social justice, which has served as oppositions to both CONAKAT and BALUBAKAT. Until the reforms of 1996 carried out by BALUBAKAT, CONAKAT was the sole dominant party of Katanga.

Others include:

Liberal Party of Katanga (LIBERAKAT), center-right advocating state and public liberalism.Songye Party (SONKAT), rightist party advocating interests of the third major ethnicity of Katanga, Songye people.Muslim Community of Katanga (ISLAMIKAT), party which seeks to advance the interests of Muslims in Katanga, which account for 20%, and increasing, of the population of Katanga.

Both the sitting Prime Minister and President are members of the BALUBAKAT party.

Legislature

The Head of State of Katanga is the President, which serves partially as ceremonial president but still possesses many important roles and duties. The Prime Minister serves as the head of Government. The National Assembly serves as the Parliament of Katanga, and the Grand Council, a house of tribal leaders who serves as the Upper House of Katanga.

National Assembly

The National Assembly shares legislative powers with the President and Prime Minister.There are 90 seats in the National Assembly. 72 of the seats are directly appointed; 45 by the President, 20 by the primary opposition and 7 by the secondary opposition, while the other 18 are representatives for tribal authorities. The current seats are, as follows:

37 seats BALUBAKAT

24 seats CONAKAT

13 seats UNIKAT

9 seats LIBERAKAT

5 seats independent

2 seats ISLAMIKAT

Grand Council

The Grand Council is a house consisting of 20 representatives for different tribal authorities in Katanga, serving for different ethnic groups. It also includes 5 subdivisional representatives. was created to encourage cooperation between different tribes in the diverse nation of Katanga. It also serves as the Upper House of Katanga, however it does not have legislative power. It has veto power on national issues like constitutional matters, legal practices, taxation, and functioning and running the vital mining industry. The veto can be overriden by a 70% majority vote from the National Assembly.

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At first, Katanga was a purely presidential republic, where the president was the head of state, head of goverment, head of the Cabinet of Ministers and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The president, mandated by the constitution, had (and still has) a four-year long, renewable term, and was elected by a two-thirds majority vote from the National Assembly.

Seeing discontent from the people of Katanga, major political reforms would start in 1996, changing the political system employed by Katanga to semi-presidential republic. These reforms included appointing a prime minister to serve as head of government, head of the Cabinet of Ministers, an advisor to the president, and as an administrative partner. Leaders of the National Assembly and Grand Council would also be appointed. The Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces was made separate from the government. Now, presidents are elected through 60% majority votes from the people of Katanga. In the event of an undefinite result, the National Assembly is delegated to appoint the President. The Prime Minister is also elected in the same process. Legislative power is shared between the President, Prime Minister, and National Assembly.

The incumbent president is Paul Kousso, elected in the 2018 general election. The incumbent Prime Minister, Adoua Sesongo, was elected the same year. Both were re-elected in 2022.

Ministries

Under the constitution, Katanga had at first, 11 ministries. This number has over time been increased to 15. Ministers, not including the President and Prime Ministers, are appointed through the National Assembly, on the recommendation of the President, and the Leaders of the Opposition.

Paul Kousso, President of the State of Katanga, Head of the State (BALUBAKAT)

Adoua Sesongo, Prime Minister of the State of Katanga, Head of the Cabinet of Ministers (BALUBAKAT)

Cabinet of Ministers

Josef Malumaku, Minister of Internal Affairs (BALUBAKAT)

Sekou Chebeya, Minister of Foreign Affairs (CONAKAT)

Nzanza Mkimya, Minister of Finance, Commerce and Taxation (Independent)

Jean Saïdi, Minister of Economic Affairs, Transportation and Infrastructure (UNIKAT)

Dito Mboto, Minister of Mining (CONAKAT)

Nikasa Nabe, Ministress of Communications and Information (BALUBAKAT)

Patrice Ndala, Minister of Health (CONAKAT)

Tshiomba Ekolo, Minister of Public Education (CONAKAT)

Anais Boyote, Ministress of Agriculture and Fisheries (BALUBAKAT)

Shambuyi Openda, Ministress of Justice (CONAKAT)

Kabongo Manzia, Minister of Public Services and Supply (Independent)

Jean Nyafe, Minister of Culture, Entertainment, Tourism and Sports (BALUBAKAT)

Phillipe Kyela, Minister of Industrial Affairs (UNIKAT)

Other delegations

Nswadi Ngulu, Commander-In-Chief of the Katangese Armed Forces

Josef Ngadi, Commander-In-Chief of the Katangese Military Aviation

Francois Kinda, Commander-In-Chief of the Naval Patrol of Katanga

Alphonse Sela, Head of the National Assembly

Kendi Ontongo, National Assembly Spokesperson

Jean Mutunda, Head of the Grand Council

Mafuta Tchibaya, Grand Council Spokesperson

Emmanuel Ilunga, President of CONAKAT, Leader of the Primary Opposition

Tresor Iloua, President of UNIKAT, Leader of the Secondary Opposition

Esther Sombo, Chief Justice

Regional governments

Katanga is divided into five main subdivisions:

Haut-Katanga (red)

Lunda Province (orange)

Lomami (blue)

Uwandakati/Haut-Lomami (purple)

Tanganyika (brown)

These subdivisions are governed by Provincial Governments, who, under the supervision of the President, carry out the following responsibilities:

Regional economic and city planning

Management and construction of public infrastructure

Managing judicial matters within the province, through Provincial Courts

Ensuring law and order within the province

Governors

Avi Kabiali, Head of the Haut-Katanga Provincial Government

Buseru Ofile, Head of the Lunda Provincial Government

Kiasala Kifemwamine, Head of the Lomami Provincial Government

Pascal Mauwa, Head of the Haut-Lomami Provincial Government

Sirikani Matode, Head of the Tanganyika Provincial Government

These Governors are represented within the Grand Council.