Congolese (DRC) statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 30 December 2006 to 10 October 2008. Born in Thysville (now Mbanza-Ngungu) in Kwilu Province, Belgian Congo, he attended Catholic primary school and attended the Kinzambi and Mayidi seminaries for his secondary education. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1947. He was inspired by the ideas of Patrice Lumumba, and helped organize the Parti Solidaire Africain, and would later become its leader. Following independence in 1960, he became the deputy prime minister of the Republic of the Congo. In September of that year, both he and Prime Minister Lumumba were dismissed by President Kasa-Vubu over Lumumba's attempts to get the Soviet Union involved in the Congo Crisis. A coup launched shortly thereafter led Gizenga to reject the new government and to set up his own, called the Free Republic of the Congo, which he declared to be the legitimate government of the Congo, but in August 1961, he agreed to rejoin the regular government of the Congo. He later accused Prime Minister Adoula of being influenced by Western governments.
Congolese (DRC) statesman. He served as the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 30 December 2006 to 10 October 2008. Born in Thysville (now Mbanza-Ngungu) in Kwilu Province, Belgian Congo, he attended Catholic primary school and attended the Kinzambi and Mayidi seminaries for his secondary education. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1947. He was inspired by the ideas of Patrice Lumumba, and helped organize the Parti Solidaire Africain, and would later become its leader. Following independence in 1960, he became the deputy prime minister of the Republic of the Congo. In September of that year, both he and Prime Minister Lumumba were dismissed by President Kasa-Vubu over Lumumba's attempts to get the Soviet Union involved in the Congo Crisis. A coup launched shortly thereafter led Gizenga to reject the new government and to set up his own, called the Free Republic of the Congo, which he declared to be the legitimate government of the Congo, but in August 1961, he agreed to rejoin the regular government of the Congo. He later accused Prime Minister Adoula of being influenced by Western governments.
Bio by: Mr. C
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