Country Trading Profiles Democratic Republic of Congo

Political outline

Main political parties: In the absence of an effective central government for so many years, most political groups exist solely to control territory. There are 278 political parties registered with the Internal Affairs Ministry. Some of the main parties are:
- PPRD (People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy) – a liberal pro-democracy party lead by Joseph Kabila;
- MLC ( Movement for Liberation of Congo) – earlier a rebel group, now supports peace & democracy;
- PALU (Unified Lumumbist Party) – supports democracy and free-market economy.
Current political leaders: President: Joseph KABILA – PPRD. He succeeded his father, Laurent Desire KABILA, following the latter's assassination in January 2001. He has been reelected in october 2006.
Prime Minister: Adolphe MUZITO (since 10 October 2008)
Next election dates: Presidential: Year 2011

For further information on sanitary conditions
For further information on safety conditions
Contact your Embassy: Embassy of Greece in Democratic Republic of Congo
BLD du 30 Juin 87, Immeuble de la Communaute Hellenique
Gombe Kinshasa, RDC
Phone: (00243) 815554941-3
Fax : 815554945
gremb.kin@mfa.gr

Time and time difference: It is %T:%M %A in Kinshasa (GMT+1 )
It is %T:%M %A in Lubumbashi (GMT+2 )
Summer time period: None

Type of climate: The country experiences extreme year-round heat. The biggest weather event is the rainy period, lasting from May through October. This rain is not the type that brings relief from the heat.The country's regional variations are based on the area's distance from the equator. The northern section of the country experiences a dry season from late January to March, while the southern part of the country has its dry season from May to October. The weather Varies according to the distance from the Equator, which lies across the north of the country. The dry season in the north is from December to March, and in the south May to October. The annual temperatures are warm and humidity is high. Required clothing: Lightweight clothes are recommended all year, with rainwear during the rainy season.

Telephone codes: To make a call from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Greece: dial 00 (or +) 30
To make a call to in the Democratic Republic of Congo from Greece: dial 00 (or +) +243
Mobile telephone standards
Internet suffix: .cd