National Order of the Leopard

The National Order of the Leopard (French: Ordre national du Léopard) was the highest honorific decoration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1966 until 2002 when it was discontinued and replaced by the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba.

[1] It was instituted on 24 May 1966 in the Ordinance-law Number 66-330 by President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu.

[citation needed] It rewarded the high military or civil merits rendered in the Congo.

The President of the Congo was the Grand Chancellor of the Order.

The National Order of the Leopard was composed of five grades: Grand Cordons Grand Officers Commanders Officers Knights Unknown Classes