| Term
| Incumbent
| Affliation
| Notes
|
| Republic of Congo | Independence from Belgium
|
| 1 July 1960 to 1 August 1964 | Joseph Kasavubu, Head of State | ABAKO |
|
| 1 August 1964 to 25 November 1965 | Joseph Kasavubu, President | ABAKO |
|
| 31 March 1961 to 5 August 1961 | Antoine Gizenga , Head of State | MNC-L | In rebellion, at Stanleyville
|
| 25 November 1965 to 1 July 1966 | Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, President | Mil |
|
| Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
| 1 July 1966 to 1967 | Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, President | Mil | (contd.)
|
| 1967 to 27 October 1971 | MRP |
|
| Republic of Zaire
|
| 27 October 1971 to 10 January 1972 | Joseph-Désiré Mobutu, President | MRP | Changed name to Mobutu Sese Seko
|
| 10 January 1972 to 16 May 1997 | Mobutu Sese Seko, President
| (contd.); Hitherto named Joseph-Désiré Mobutu
|
| Democratic Republic of the Congo
|
| 17 May 1997 to 29 May 1997 | Laurent-Désiré Kabila, Head of State | AFDL |
|
| 29 May 1997 to 16 January 2001 | Laurent-Désiré Kabila, President |
|
| 17 January 2001 to 26 January 2001 | Joseph Kabila, interim President | AFDL |
|
| 26 January 2001 to 8 April 2003 | Joseph Kabila, President |
|
| 8 April 2003 to present | Joseph Kabila, interim President |
|