However the powers of this position have varied over the years, from a limited shared role in the executive branch, with a prime minister, to a full-blown dictatorship.

The constitutional mandate of the then president, Joseph Kabila, was due to expire on 20 December 2016 but was initially extended by him until the end of 2017[1] and he continued to remain in post until a presidential election was held in December 2018 when Félix Tshisekedi was elected and took office on 24 January 2019.

Although it is the prime minister and parliament that oversee much of the nation's actual lawmaking, the president wields significant influence, both formally and from constitutional convention.

The Independent Electoral Commission has to organize elections between sixty (60) and ninety (90)[15] days after the official declaration of vacancy by the Constitutional court.

Other presidential residences include: Under the 2006 constitution, the President is directly elected to a five-year term – renewable only once[16] – by universal suffrage.