Palais de la Nation (Kinshasa)

The Palais de la Nation (French; Palace of the Nation) is a building in Gombe, Kinshasa, which since 2001 serves as the official residence of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The palais was built in 1956 to a design by Marcel Lambrichs,[1] as the official residence of the colonial Governor-General. It is located in the north of Kinshasa, on the banks of the Congo River.

Southwards-facing view of the Palais de la nation and its gardens taken in 1986

After Congolese independence from Belgium in 1960, the Palais became a symbol of the new state. The official ceremonies surrounding independence, including King Baudoin's Proclamation, declaring the Congo's independence and Patrice Lumumba's speech denouncing colonialism, took place in the palais on 30 June. It briefly served as the seat of the Congolese parliament, now based in the Palais du Peuple, after independence.

Following the restoration of the Congo after the fall of Mobutu Sese Seko, the mausoleum of Laurent-Désiré Kabila was built in front of the palace.

References
  1. Leick, Gwendolyn (15 November 2013). Tombs of the Great Leaders: A Contemporary Guide. Reaktion Books. p. 299. ISBN 978-1-78023-226-3.

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