Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville) constitutional referendum, 1964
Encyclopedia
A constitutional referendum was held in the Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)
between 25 June and 10 July 1964. The new constitution, known as the "Constitution de Luluabourg", changed the country's system of government, its name, and the number of provinces. It was approved by 91% of voters.
, negotiations between politicians resulted in the drafting of a new constitution. The new document created a presidential system
of government in place of the previous semi-presidential system
, where both the Prime Minister and President had certain powers. It also made the country more federalist, and increased the number of provinces
from six to 21.
The country was renamed the "Democratic Republic of Congo" (having been officially the "Republic of Congo" since independence in 1960, a name shared by its neighbour
)
was automatically dissolved, and the President, Joseph Kasa-Vubu
, appointed a transitional government, whose role was to organise elections within nine months.
In June 1964 Kasavubu appointed Moise Tshombe
, who had led the Katanga
breakaway, as the interim Prime Minister. After Tshombe's government announced that elections would be held by 30 March 1965, some politicians claimed they could not be held until peace talks with the remaining rebel fations had been held. However, the elections
went ahead as planned between 18 March and 30 April.
Republic of the Congo (Léopoldville)
The Republic of the Congo was an independent republic established following the independence granted to the former colony of the Belgian Congo in 1960...
between 25 June and 10 July 1964. The new constitution, known as the "Constitution de Luluabourg", changed the country's system of government, its name, and the number of provinces. It was approved by 91% of voters.
Background
Following the Congo CrisisCongo Crisis
The Congo Crisis was a period of turmoil in the First Republic of the Congo that began with national independence from Belgium and ended with the seizing of power by Joseph Mobutu...
, negotiations between politicians resulted in the drafting of a new constitution. The new document created a presidential system
Presidential system
A presidential system is a system of government where an executive branch exists and presides separately from the legislature, to which it is not responsible and which cannot, in normal circumstances, dismiss it....
of government in place of the previous semi-presidential system
Semi-presidential system
The semi-presidential system is a system of government in which a president and a prime minister are both active participants in the day-to-day administration of the state...
, where both the Prime Minister and President had certain powers. It also made the country more federalist, and increased the number of provinces
Provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
There are currently ten provinces and one city-province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo:* An Ituri Interim Administration also exists in the Ituri region of Orientale province- Proposed provinces :...
from six to 21.
The country was renamed the "Democratic Republic of Congo" (having been officially the "Republic of Congo" since independence in 1960, a name shared by its neighbour
Republic of the Congo
The Republic of the Congo , sometimes known locally as Congo-Brazzaville, is a state in Central Africa. It is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Angolan exclave province of Cabinda, and the Gulf of Guinea.The region was dominated by...
)
Results
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 2,151,122 | 90.82% |
| Against | 217,329 | 9.18% |
| Invalid/blank votes | 35,688 | - |
| Total | 2,404,139 | 100 |
| Source: African Eleotions Database | ||
Aftermath
When the constitution came into effect, the parliament elected in 1960Belgian Congo general election, 1960
General elections were held in the Belgian Congo on 22 May 1960, in order to create a government to rule the country following independence, scheduled for 30 June. The 137-seat Chamber of Representatives was elected by men over the age of 21...
was automatically dissolved, and the President, Joseph Kasa-Vubu
Joseph Kasa-Vubu
Joseph Kasa-Vubu was the first President of the Republic of the Congo, today called Democratic Republic of the Congo....
, appointed a transitional government, whose role was to organise elections within nine months.
In June 1964 Kasavubu appointed Moise Tshombe
Moise Tshombe
Moïse Kapenda Tshombe was a Congolese politician.- Biography :He was the son of a successful Congolese businessman and was born in Musumba, Congo. He received his education from an American missionary school and later trained as an accountant...
, who had led the Katanga
State of Katanga
Katanga was a breakaway state proclaimed on 11 July 1960 separating itself from the newly independent Democratic Republic of the Congo. In revolt against the new government of Patrice Lumumba in July, Katanga declared independence under Moise Tshombe, leader of the local CONAKAT party...
breakaway, as the interim Prime Minister. After Tshombe's government announced that elections would be held by 30 March 1965, some politicians claimed they could not be held until peace talks with the remaining rebel fations had been held. However, the elections
Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 1965
General elections were held in the Democratic Republic of the Congo between 18 March and 30 April 1965, following the promulgation of a new constitution approved by a referendum the previous year...
went ahead as planned between 18 March and 30 April.