Likulia Bolongo
Congolese politician and general (1939–2026)
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Norbert Likulia Bolongo Lingbangi (8 July 1939 – 26 June 2026) was a Congolese politician and military official who served as Prime Minister of Zaire from 9 April 1997 to 16 May 1997, before his deposition after the First Congo War. Bolongo was the last prime minister appointed by Mobutu Sese Seko.
8 July 1939
Likulia Bolongo | |
|---|---|
| Prime Minister of Zaire | |
| In office 9 April 1997 – 16 May 1997 | |
| President | Mobutu Sese Seko |
| Preceded by | Étienne Tshisekedi |
| Succeeded by | Antoine Gizenga (as Prime Minister of Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2006) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Norbert Likulia Bolongo Lingbangi 8 July 1939 Basoko, Orientale Province, Belgian Congo |
| Died | 26 June 2026 (aged 86) Brussels, Belgium |
| Spouse | Marie-Godelive Nyota Ngongo |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | Aix-Marseille University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Zaire |
| Rank | General |
Early life and education
Norbert Likulia Bolongo Lingbangi[1] was born in Basoko on 8 July 1939.[2] He is a member of the Lokele people. He graduated with a doctorate from Aix-Marseille University. He taught law at the National University of Zaire.[3]
Career
From 1971 to 1985, Bolongo was auditor general of the armed forces.[3] Seven journalists from the United Kingdom, West Germany, France, and Spain were arrested in 1977 for entering the Shaba Province with papers from Angola; Bolongo accused them of espionage, but claimed that Mobutu Sese Seko chose to repatriate them to their respective ambassadors.[4]
Prime Minister Léon Kengo wa Dondo's cabinet was reorganised on 24 December 1996, and resulted in Bolongo being appointed as Minister of Defence and Vice Prime Minister.[5] A state of emergency was declared in Zaire by Mobutu Sese Seko on 8 April 1997, and Mobutu appointed Bolongo to replace Étienne Tshisekedi as Prime Minister of Zaire on 9 April.[6] Bolongo was the last person to serve as prime minister under Mobutu.[2]
A plan by Bolongo and Chief of Staff Kpama Baramoto Kata to recruit 500 mercenaries from South Africa and launch a counter-offensive against the rebels; the plan was approved by Mobutu.[7] As rebels approached the capital in May 1997, Bolongo and military leaders told Mobutu that they could not hold the city and that he should leave.[8] Bolongo informed United States Ambassador Daniel H. Simpson that Mobutu was fleeing Zaire for Brazzaville; Bolongo later fled to Brazzaville as well.[9]
Bolongo returned to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2000.[10] President Laurent-Désiré Kabila appointed Bolongo as the Minister of Enterprises in his cabinet on 1 September 2000.[11] Bolongo ran for the presidency in the 2006 election, but received less than 0.50% of the vote in the first round. He supported Jean-Pierre Bemba in the second round.[10]