Étienne Tshisekedi

Who is Étienne Tshisekedi?

Étienne Tshisekedi wa Mulumba is a politician who leads the Union for Democracy and Social Progress, a political party in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A long-time opposition leader, he served as Prime Minister of the country on three brief occasions: in 1991, 1992–1993, and 1997.

Tshisekedi has been the primary Congolese opposition leader for decades. Although he served in the government of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in various positions, he also led the campaign against Mobutu, and was one of only a few politicians who challenged that dictator.

Tshisekedi and his UDPS party boycotted the 2006 elections organized in Congo claiming that the elections were fraudulent and were already systematically rigged in advance.

He was a candidate for President of Congo in the 2011 elections that many national and international observers, notably the Carter Center, have said lacked credibility and transparency. Having officially lost to incumbent Joseph Kabila, Tshisekedi nevertheless declared himself the "elected president" of Congo. Policemen and Kabila's presidential guards were subsequently stationed at every corner that gives entrance to Tshisekedi's residence, placing him under unofficial house arrest.