Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba

{{Infobox order

| native_name = Ordre National «Héros-Nationaux, Kabila-Lumumba»

| native_name_lang = fr

| image =

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| awarded_by = {{flag|Democratic Republic of the Congo}}

| type = State order

| established = {{Start date and age|2002|08|05|df=yes}}

| country = Democratic Republic of the Congo

| house =

| religion =

| seat =

| ribbon =

| motto = {{langx|fr|"Justice, Paix, Travail"}} ("Justice, Peace, Work")

| eligibility = Congolese nationals and foreigners

| criteria = Merits and loyal services to the nation

| status = Active

| founder =

| head_title = Grand Chancellor

| head = Félix Tshisekedi

| head2_title = Chancellor

| head2 = André Matutezulwa

| head3_title =

| head3 =

| classes = {{plainlist}}Grand Cordon
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight{{endplainlist}}

| post-nominals =

| former_grades =

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| higher = None

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| image2 = 90px

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| caption2 = Ribbon

}}

Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba ({{langx|fr|Ordre National «Héros-Nationaux, Kabila-Lumumba»}}) is the highest order of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It is awarded to Congolese nationals and foreigners who have rendered merits and loyal services to the nation. The order was instituted in 2002 as a replacement for the National Order of the Leopard. It is named after President Laurent-Désiré Kabila and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, both of whom were assassinated while in office.

History

During the independence of the DRC, there have been four "national orders": Order of the Congolese Nation ({{lang|fr|Ordre de la Nation Congolaise}}), National Order of the Leopard ({{lang|fr|Ordre National du Léopard}}), National Order of Zaire ({{lang|fr|Ordre National du Zaïre}}), and the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba, the last of which was founded by Law No. 009/2002 (5 August 2002) and amended by Decree-Law No. 012/2003 (30 March 2003). The previous national orders are no longer awarded.{{Cite web |title=Les Ordres Nationaux|publisher=Chancellerie des Ordres Nationaux|access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://chancelleriedesordresnationaux.cd/cdon/public/orders-merits/national-orders |language=fr}} The order is named after President Laurent-Désiré Kabila and Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Both were assassinated while in office, on 17 January 1961 and 16 January 2001, respectively. Lumumba had already been declared a "national hero" in 1966 during the rule of Mobutu Sese Seko,{{cite book | editor-last=De Groof | editor-first=Matthias | title=Lumumba in the Arts |location=| publisher=Leuven University Press | year=2020 | isbn=978-94-6270-174-8 | pages=373–387|last=Petit|first=Pierre|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V-XJDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA385|chapter=Official Miniatures: The Figure of Patrice Lumumba in the Global and the National Contexts}} {{p.|385}}. and Kabila followed quickly after his death when his son Joseph Kabila immediately took office as the new president. In the form of the new order, both are jointly commemorated as martyrs for national liberation against foreign influence.{{cite book | editor-last=De Groof | editor-first=Matthias | title=Lumumba in the Arts| publisher=Leuven University Press | year=2020 | isbn=978-94-6270-174-8 | pages=44–61|last=Tshonda|first=Jean Omasombo|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V-XJDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA52|chapter=Lumumba, a Never-ending Tragedy and the Unfulfilled Mourning Process of Colonisation}} {{p.|52}}. It is the highest order of the country,{{cite book | last=Kisangani | first=Emizet François | title=Historical Dictionary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo |edition=4th|location=Lanham| publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers| year=2016 | isbn=978-1-4422-7316-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sj9mDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA487 | page=487}} given for merits and loyal services to the nation.

An initial set of insignia was drawn up shortly after the order had been instituted. The insignia, however, had to be re-drawn after the DRC changed its flag and emblem in 2006. The insignia are manufactured by Eng Leong Medallic Industries.{{Cite web|first=Éric |last=Tripnaux |title=L’ordre congolais des Héros nationaux Kabila-Lumumba: Un collectionneur averti en vaut deux |work=Articles de phaléristique |publisher=Société des amis du musée national de la Légion d'honneur et des ordres de chevalerie |year=2022 |id=2022-S-6 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://www.amis-musee-legiondhonneur.fr/publications-de-la-samnlhoc/articles-de-phal%C3%A9ristique/ordre-congolais-h%C3%A9ros-nationaux/ |language=fr}}

It is managed by the Chancery of National Orders ({{lang|fr|Chancellerie des Ordres Nationaux}}),{{Cite web |title=Qui sommes-nous ?|publisher=Chancellerie des Ordres Nationaux|access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://chancelleriedesordresnationaux.cd/cdon/public/chancellery/about |language=fr}} located in Gombe, Kinshasa.{{Cite web |title=The Chancellery of National Orders announces the taking of measures to eradicate mafia networks in the field of recognition of merits|agency=ACP |date=2022-09-16 |access-date=2023-05-05 |url= https://acpcongo.com/index.php/2022/09/16/the-chancellery-of-national-orders-announces-the-taking-of-measures-to-eradicate-mafia-networks-in-the-field-of-recognition-of-merits/}} Its Grand Chancellor is the President of the DRC, currently Félix Tshisekedi,{{Cite web |title=Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito decorated with the rank of « Grand Officers » in the National Order of National Heroes, Kabila-Lumumba by the Head of State|agency=ACP |date=2022-06-30 |access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://acpcongo.com/index.php/2022/06/30/maurice-mpolo-and-joseph-okito-decorated-with-the-rank-of-grand-officers-in-the-national-order-of-national-heroes-kabila-lumumba-by-the-head-of-state/}} who is aided by the Chancellor,{{Cite web |title=Structures Chancelières: Les Présidents de la République|publisher=Chancellerie des Ordres Nationaux|access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://chancelleriedesordresnationaux.cd/cdon/public/organ-funct/dif-chan-pr |language=fr}} currently André Matutezulwa.{{Cite web |title=Structures Chancelières: Les Chanceliers|publisher=Chancellerie des Ordres Nationaux|access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://chancelleriedesordresnationaux.cd/cdon/public/organ-funct/dif-chan-grd |language=fr}}

The Congolese orders, decorations, and medals have been marred by corruption. André Matutezulwa has publicly denied that he has ever decorated a Chinese national to the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba. Controversy ensued when John Numbi, then Inspector General of the Congolese National Police implicated in the murder of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya and his chauffeur,{{Cite web |title=DRC: General John Numbi, implicated in the Chebeya case, has fled the country |last1=Gras|first1=Romain|last2=Bujakera|first2=Stanis Tshiamala |work=The Africa Report.com |date=24 March 2021 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://www.theafricareport.com/74437/drc-general-john-numbi-implicated-in-the-chebeya-case-has-fled-the-country/}} was made Grand Officer of the order (17 May 2017){{Cite web |title=RDC: polémique autour de la décoration du général John Numbi|publisher=RFI |work=Seneweb |date=2017-06-07 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://www.seneweb.com/news/Afrique/rdc-polemique-autour-de-la-decoration-du_n_218769.html |language=fr}}{{Cite web |title=In the DRC, the world in reverse: the crime of murder deserves the prize of « national hero » |work=Beni Lubero Online|last=Kashidi|first=Jeanne|date=2017-07-12 |access-date=2023-05-05 |url= https://benilubero.com/in-the-drc-the-world-in-reverse-the-crime-of-murder-deserves-the-prize-of-national-hero/}}

The order can be awarded to both Congolese nationals and foreigners. It has separate civilian and military divisions.{{Cite web |title=Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba|work=World Awards|last=Repetski|first=Ilja |access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://wawards.org/en/congo/democratic-republic-of-the-congo/order-of-the-national-heroes-kabila-lumumba.html}} It can also be conferred posthumously.{{Cite web |title=RDC : Cinq choses à savoir sur l’Ordre National “Héros Nationaux” |work=Actualite.cd |date=2019-06-01 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://actualite.cd/2019/06/01/rdc-cinq-choses-savoir-sur-lordre-national-heros-nationaux |language=fr}} Membership can be revoked for treason or for other serious crimes.{{Cite web |title=LOI 009-2002 du 5 août 2002 portant création de l’ordre national «Héros nationaux» |work=Leganet.cd |access-date=2023-05-09 |url= http://www.leganet.cd/Legislation/Droit%20administratif/Urbanismevoiries/Div/L.009.05.08.2002.htm |language=fr}}

Classes

It has the following five classes:

Grand Cordon ({{lang|fr|Grand Cordon}})
Grand Officer ({{lang|fr|Grand Officier}})
Commander ({{lang|fr|Commandeur}})
Officer ({{lang|fr|Officier}})
Knight ({{lang|fr|Chevalier}})

Recipients of the Grand Cordon

{{Flagicon|MAR}} Mohammed VI of Morocco (28 February 2006){{Cite web |title=SM le Roi Mohammed VI |agency=MAP |access-date=2023-05-10 |url= https://www.mapnews.ma/fr/content/sm-le-roi-mohammed-vi |language=fr }}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} {{ill|Samba Kaputo|fr}} (4 August 2007, posthumously){{Cite web |title=Ordonnance n° 07/061 du 04 août 2007 portant admission dans l'Ordre National Héros Nationaux |work=Leganet.cd |access-date=2023-05-09 |url= http://www.leganet.cd/Legislation/Divers/O.07.061.04.08.07.htm |language=fr}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Antoine Gizenga (24 January 2009){{Cite magazine |journal=Journal Officiel de la République Démocratique du Congo |title=Ordonnance ° 09/001 du 24 janvier 2009 portant admission dans l’Ordre National Héros Nationaux|date=2009-02-01 |volume=50 |number=3 |series=Première partie |url= https://www.droitcongolais.info/files/Ordonnance-du-24-janvier-2009_ANTOINE-GIZENGA_heros-national.pdf |language=fr |oclc=50605196}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Joseph Kabila (1 July 2010){{Cite web |title=Cérémonie de remise d’insignes de « l’Ordre National Héros Nationaux Kabila-Lumumba » au Chef de l’Etat et aux Pionniers de l’Indépendance |agency=ACP |work=Digitalcongo.net |date=2010-07-03 |url= https://www.digitalcongo.net/article/68147 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923214916/https://www.digitalcongo.net/article/68147 |archive-date=2015-09-23 |language=fr}}
{{Flagicon|Belgian Congo}} Simon Kimbangu (1 July 2010, posthumously)
{{Flagicon|ZAI}} Joseph Malula (1 July 2010, posthumously)
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Marcel Bisukiro (1 July 2010)
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Justin Bomboko (1 July 2010)
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Christophe Gbenye (1 July 2010)
{{Flagicon|DRC}} {{ill|Augustin Katumba Mwanke|fr}} (12 February 2012, posthumously){{Cite magazine |journal=Journal Officiel de la République Démocratique du Congo |title=Ordonnance n° 12/001 du 14 février 2012 portant nomination dans l’ordre national « Héros nationaux » Kabila-Lumumba|date=2012-02-15 |volume=53 |number=4 |series=Première partie |url= https://www.leganet.cd/Legislation/JO/2012/numeros/2012.4.pdf#page=3 |language=fr |oclc=50605196 |page=5 }}
{{Flagicon|SEN}} Abdou Diouf (14 April 2014){{Cite web |title=RDC : Abdou Diouf décoré du « Grand Cordon Kabila-Lumumba »|work=Jeune Afrique |date=2014-04-15 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://www.jeuneafrique.com/164348/politique/rdc-abdou-diouf-d-cor-du-grand-cordon-kabila-lumumba/ |language=fr}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Abdoulaye Yerodia Ndombasi (26 February 2019, posthumously){{Cite web |title=Yerodia Abdoulaye Ndombasi conducts to his last home|work=Digitalcongo.net |date=2019-03-02 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://www.digitalcongo.net/article-en/5c7a4d248f3d3a0004acb0e2/}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Étienne Tshisekedi (31 May 2019, posthumously){{Cite web |title=Etienne Tshisekedi admitted to the national order Kabila-Lumumba national heroes|work=Digitalcongo.net |date=2019-06-01 |access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://www.digitalcongo.net/article-en/5cf24b9dafc08f0004b50cae/}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Léon Kengo wa Dondo (9 July 2020){{Cite web |title=Leon Kengowa Dondo decorated of Big Cord at the national order of the national heroes Kabila-Lumumba|last=N’soki|first=Corneille Kinsala |work=Digitalcongo.net |date=2020-07-13 |access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://www.digitalcongo.net/article-en/5f0c3707f83e2a001716b167}}
{{Flagicon|DRC|1966}} Joseph Kasa-Vubu (3 October 2020, posthumously){{Cite magazine |journal=Journal Officiel de la République Démocratique du Congo |title=Ordonnance n° 20/138 du 03 octobre 2020 portant admission, à titre posthume, dans l'Ordre national « Héros nationaux Kabila-Lumumba » |date=2020-11-15 |volume=61 |number=22 |series=Première partie |url= http://www.leganet.cd/Legislation/JO/2020/JO.15.11.2020.pdf#page=6 |language=fr |oclc=50605196 |page=11 }}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Timothée Munkutu (21 January 2021, posthumously){{Cite web |title=RDC : Timothée Munkuto admis au grade de Grand cordon des ordres héros nationaux Kabila-Lumumba|last=Muamba|first=Clément|work=DeskEco|date=2021-01-22 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://deskeco.com/2021/01/22/rdc-timothee-munkuto-admis-au-grade-de-grand-cordon-des-ordres-heros-nationaux-kabila-lumumba |language=fr}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya (20 July 2021, posthumously){{Cite web |title=RDC : le cardinal Monsengwo sera inhumé ce mercredi à la cathédrale Notre Dame du Congo|work=Radio Okapi |date=2021-01-22 |access-date=2023-05-05 |url= https://www.radiookapi.net/2021/07/21/actualite/societe/rdc-le-cardinal-monsengwo-sera-inhume-ce-mercredi-la-cathedrale-notre |language=fr}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} {{ill|Tharcisse Tshibangu Tshishiku|de}} (11 January 2022, posthumously){{Cite web |title=Mgr Tharcisse Tshibangu admis dans l’Ordre National « Héros Nationaux Kabila-Lumumba » au grade de Grand Cordon|work=Actualite.cd |date=2022-01-11 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://actualite.cd/2022/01/11/mgr-tharcisse-tshibangu-admis-dans-lordre-national-heros-nationaux-kabila-lumumba-au |language=fr}}
{{Flagicon|DRC}} Benoît Lwamba (19 February 2022, posthumously){{Cite web |title=President Felix Tshisekedi pays last respects to Benoît Lwamba|agency=ACP |date=2022-02-20 |access-date=2023-05-08 |url= https://acpcongo.com/index.php/2022/02/20/president-felix-tshisekedi-pays-last-respects-to-benoit-lwamba/}}
{{Flagicon|BEL}} George Arthur Forrest (7 September 2022){{Cite web |title=DRC: Félix Tshisekedi raises George Arthur Forrest to the rank of "Grand Cordon" in the national order of Kabila-Lumumba national heroes|publisher=Copperbelt Katanga Mining |date=2022-09-11 |access-date=2023-05-04 |url= https://copperbeltkatangamining.com/drc-felix-tshisekedi-raises-george-arthur-forrest-to-the-rank-of-grand-cordon-in-the-national-order-of-kabila-lumumba-national-heroes/?doing_wp_cron=1683233480.1277089118957519531250}}

Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba

History

Classes

Recipients of the Grand Cordon

See also

References

Further reading