Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans
Encyclopedia
The Union of Federalists and Independent Republicans is a political party
in Democratic Republic of the Congo
. Since the actual electoral strength of the political parties in Congo is not known, the size of the party cannot be determined.
It was founded in August 1990 by former First State Commissioner Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond
, who led the party until he fell ill in May 1994. Gabriel Kyungu wa Kumwanza, then governor of Shaba region, was then named the president of the party, but a faction led by Karl-I-Bond's wife Wivine split from the organization, leaving Kyungu with the remainder of the party in Shaba region (now Katanga Province
).
To the present day, most of the party's membership and leadership comes from the Katanga region, and the earlier days of the party's existence was filled with ethnopolitical battles between the predominately-BaLunda
UFERI and the predominately-BaLuba
UDPS of Karl-I-Bond's rival (and former First State Commissioner) Étienne Tshisekedi
.
It, along with the UDPS and the PDSC
, was part of the short-lived opposition-based Sacred Union in 1991, but was kicked out after Karl-I-Bond accepted the position of prime minister from Mobutu that year.
In 1998, Kyungu was given the ambassadorship of the DRC to Kenya
by then-president Laurent Kabila; the Kenyan president's office was sent a letter of protest by UDPS against the appointment of Kyungu by Kabila due to Kyungu's usage of the UFERI's youth militia, JUFERI, in violence against the Luba supporters of the UDPS during his time as governor.
It is known to support greater autonomy for Katanga, and to be a BaLunda-ethnocentric party that sought to drive out the Luba minority from the Katanga region.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
. Since the actual electoral strength of the political parties in Congo is not known, the size of the party cannot be determined.
It was founded in August 1990 by former First State Commissioner Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond
Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond
Jean Nguza Karl-i-Bond was a prominent Zairian politician.Born in Musumba, Lualaba District, a member of the Lunda tribe and a nephew of the Katangan leader, Moise Tshombe, Nguza was a pock-marked child who rose rapidly through government posts and gained the favour of President Mobutu Sese...
, who led the party until he fell ill in May 1994. Gabriel Kyungu wa Kumwanza, then governor of Shaba region, was then named the president of the party, but a faction led by Karl-I-Bond's wife Wivine split from the organization, leaving Kyungu with the remainder of the party in Shaba region (now Katanga Province
Katanga Province
Katanga Province is one of the provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Between 1971 and 1997, its official name was Shaba Province. Under the new constitution, the province was to be replaced by four smaller provinces by February 2009; this did not actually take place.Katanga's regional...
).
To the present day, most of the party's membership and leadership comes from the Katanga region, and the earlier days of the party's existence was filled with ethnopolitical battles between the predominately-BaLunda
BaLunda
The Lunda originated in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo along the Kalanyi River and formed the Kingdom of Lunda in the 17th century under their ruler, Mwata Yamvo or Mwaant Yav, with their capital at Musumba...
UFERI and the predominately-BaLuba
Luba people
The Luba are one of the Bantu peoples of Central Africa. They are indigenous to the Katanga, Kasai, and Maniema regions which were historic provinces of present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo...
UDPS of Karl-I-Bond's rival (and former First State Commissioner) Étienne Tshisekedi
Étienne Tshisekedi
Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba is a lawyer, politician, and leader of the Union for Democracy and Social Progress which is a political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was Prime Minister of the country on three brief occasions: in 1991, 1992–1993, and 1997...
.
It, along with the UDPS and the PDSC
Democratic Social Christian Party
The Democratic Social Christian Party is a political party in Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is headed by former Mobutu-era prime minister André Bo-Boliko Lokonga, and was co-founded by Lokonga and Joseph Ileo in 1990....
, was part of the short-lived opposition-based Sacred Union in 1991, but was kicked out after Karl-I-Bond accepted the position of prime minister from Mobutu that year.
In 1998, Kyungu was given the ambassadorship of the DRC to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
by then-president Laurent Kabila; the Kenyan president's office was sent a letter of protest by UDPS against the appointment of Kyungu by Kabila due to Kyungu's usage of the UFERI's youth militia, JUFERI, in violence against the Luba supporters of the UDPS during his time as governor.
It is known to support greater autonomy for Katanga, and to be a BaLunda-ethnocentric party that sought to drive out the Luba minority from the Katanga region.