Luluabourg Constitution

Functional from 1 August 1964 until November 1965, it was meant to replace the basic law (Loi Fondamentale) that had been provisionally enacted when independence was declared in 1960.

Unlike its predecessor, the Luluabourg Constitution featured a strong executive presidency and carefully delineated federalism between the central government and the provinces.

It was decided at the Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference of 1960 that the resolutions the participants adopted would serve as the basis for the Loi Fondamentale (Fundamental Law), a temporary draft constitution left for the Congo until a permanent one could be promulgated by a Congolese parliament within a few years of independence.

By comparison, the head of state (a president) was irresponsible to Parliament and only had the power to ratify treaties, promulgate laws, and nominate high-ranking officials (including the prime minister and the cabinet).

A draft was completed by 11 April, but its presentation to the public was delayed as Kasa-Vubu's government and the commission debated over which entity held the prerogative to make revisions.

Kasa-Vubu eventually yielded and the constitution was submitted for ratification to the Congolese electorate at the end of June.

[11] Article 6 restricted Congolese nationality solely to persons whose ancestors were a part of an ethnic group that had lived in the Congo before 18 October 1908.

This rule could be circumvented if a person submitted a formal request to change their nationality within 12 months of the promulgation of the constitution.

[12] According to the constitution, the president "determines and directs the policy of the state" and "establishes the framework of government action, supervises its application, and informs Parliament of its development".