Jean Bolikango

**Jean Bolikango**, later **Bolikango Akpolokaka Gbukulu Nzete Nzube** (4 February 1909 – 17 February 1982), was a Congolese educator, writer, den politician. He serve twice as Deputy Prime Minister of de Republic of de Congo (now de Democratic Republic of de Congo), insyd September 1960 den from February to August 1962. Enjoying substantial popularity among de Bangala people, he head de Parti de l'Unité Nationale den work as a key opposition member insyd Parliament insyd de early 1960s.

Bolikango begin ein career insyd de Belgian Congo as a teacher insyd Catholic schools, den become a prominent member of Congolese society as de leader of a cultural association. He write an award-winning novel den work as a journalist before turning to politics insyd de late 1950s. Though he hold a top communications post insyd de colonial administration, he become a leader insyd de push for independence, making him one of de "fathers of independence" insyd de Congo. De Republic of de Congo become independent insyd 1960 den Bolikango attempt to organise a national political base dat will support his bid for a prestigious office insyd de new government. He dey succeed insyd wey establish de Parti de l'Unité Nationale den promote both a united Congo den strong ties plus Belgium. Older than most of ein contemporaries den commanding significant respect—especially among ein Bangala peers, he be seen as de Congo ein "elder statesman". Regardless, ein attempts to secure a position insyd de government failed den he become a leading member of de opposition insyd Parliament.

As de country become embroiled insyd a domestic crisis, de first government be dislodged den succeeded by several different administrations. Bolikango served as Deputy Prime Minister insyd one of de new governments before a partial state of stability was reestablished insyd 1961. He mediate between warring factions insyd de Congo and briefly served once again as Deputy Prime Minister insyd 1962 before returning to de parliamentary opposition. After Joseph-Désiré Mobutu take power insyd 1965, Bolikango become a minister insyd ein government. Mobutu soon dismissed him but appoint him to de political bureau of de Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution. Bolikango leave de bureau insyd 1970. He leave Parliament insyd 1975 den die seven years later. Ein grandson dey create de Jean Bolikango Foundation insyd ein memory to promote social progress. De President of de Congo posthumously award Bolikango a medal in 2005 for ein long career insyd public service.

## Early life
Dem born Jean Bolikango was born in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo, on 4 February 1909 to a Bangala family from Équateur Province. Insyd 1917 he enroll insyd St. Joseph ein Institute, graduating insyd December 1925 after six years of primary school, two years of pedagogical studies, den one year of stenography den typing courses. He become a licensed primary school teacher de following year. Bolikango teach at Scheutist schools den finally St. Joseph ein Institute until 1958. He dey instruct a total of 1,300 students, wey include future Prime Minister Joseph Iléo, future Prime Minister Cyrille Adoula, future Minister of Finance Arthur Pinzi, future Minister of Social Affairs Jacques Massa, future dramatist Albert Mongita, den future Catholic Cardinal Joseph Malula. Insyd 1946 he become de president of de Association des Anciens élèves des pères de Scheut (ADAPÉS), a position he hold until ein death.

Dat year Bolikango, as de leader of de capital *évolués*, work closely plus missionary Raphaël de la Kethulle de Ryhove to establish de Union des Interets Sociaux Congolais (UNISCO), a cultural society for leaders of elite Congolese associations. He then become its vice president. De organisation be viewed favorably by de colonial administration for ein attachment to Belgian social ideals, though it will later become a forum for revolutionary politics. Insyd 1954 Bolikango found den, for a time, serve as general chairman of de Liboka Lya Bangala, de first Bangala ethnic association, based insyd Léopoldville. By 1957 e encompass 48 affiliated tribal organisations den had 50,000 members. He authored a novel insyd Lingala entitled *Mondjeni-Mobé: Le Hardi*, which win a consolation prize for creative writing from de Conference on African Studies at de International Fair insyd Ghent insyd 1948. He sana made a submission to de 1949 contest, but no prize be awarded. Bolikango soon befriended Joseph Kasa-Vubu den sponsored ein election as secretary-general of ADAPÉS insyd order to bring him into UNISCO, thereby furthering de latter ein political standing. Bolikango eventually marry a woman named Claire. He sana obtain a *carte de mérite civique* from de Belgian administration den serve on de commission responsible for ein assignment to deserving Congolese.

Bolikango first go abroad when he attend Kethulle de Ryhove ein funeral insyd Belgium insyd 1956. During return trip he dey stop insyd Paris to meet African members of de French Parliament. Dat year he meet a handful of ein former students den oda Congolese leaders insyd ein home. Together they draft de first Congolese political manifesto, *Manifeste de Conscience Africaine*. Insyd 1958 he dey resign from ein teaching post den go to Brussels to represent Catholic education at de Expo 58 event, holding responsibility for public relations at de Missions Pavilion. Dis dey lead him to study press, radio, television, film, den mass education techniques at de Office of Information den Public Relations for de Belgian Congo den Ruanda-Urundi. Insyd August 1959 he be appointed Assistant Commissioner of Information insyd de office, making him one of only two Congolese to ever hold a second grade civil servant position insyd de Belgian colonial administration. Insyd dat capacity he initiate a comparative study of information services across Sub-Saharan Africa, compiled details on Congolese politicians, give numerous speeches, den help design Bantu language courses at de University of Ghent. He regularly write for de Léopoldville monthly *La Voix du Congolais* den de Catholic newspaper *La Croix du Congo*. Insyd 1960 Bolikango start ein own newspaper, *La Nation Congalaise*. Insyd ein contributions he frequently advocate for equal pay between black den whites for de same labor.

## Political career

### Beliefs
Bolikango be older than most of ein political contemporaries den be regarded as de Congo ein "elder statesman". He be labeled conservative den "pro-Belgian". He dey consider de Senegalese poet den politician Léopold Sédar Senghor to be a principal influence on ein beliefs. He sana admire Félix Houphouët-Boigny of Côte d'Ivoire for ein "wisdom den calmness". Like oda members of de original Congolese establishment, Bolikango sought a gradual decolonisation process during which de Belgian authorities be to be amicably negotiate plus. He believe de Congo should be united insyd a broad fashion den support de formation of a union of African states.

### Early organisation
Insyd 1953 Bolikango become a substitute member of de Conseil de la province de Léopoldville. He serve insyd de post for three years. Insyd December 1957 he unsuccessfully entered Léopoldville ein first municipal elections. De Bangala as a whole do not do well insyd de campaign; ein only form of organisation be Bolikango ein Liboka Lya Bangala, an association plus little cohesion. Following de electoral defeats, Bolikango decide to organise de Interfédérale, a federation among various regional den ethnic groups of de northern Congo dat become de basis of ein new Parti de l'unité Congolaise. Almost immediately after ein creation de party collapsed due to ethnic differences. Insyd April 1959 Patrice Lumumba ask Bolikango to become director of ein nationalist political party, de Mouvement National Congolais (MNC), but he never committed to a decision. Insyd de autumn of 1959 de Interfédérale become a part of de Parti National du Progrès (PNP). Bolikango do not follow them, instead founding de Front de l'unite Bangala (FUB), a political party representing de Bangala people of de northeastern Congo. Among them he be a popular figure; Bangala nicknames for him include "de Sage" den even "Moses". He hope dat by promoting de idea of a *grande ethnie bangala* he can enhance ein political prospects. De Bangala be only unified as a political faction insyd de capital, so he begin to look elsewhere for support. He sana be a cofounder of de short-lived Mouvement pour le Progres National Congolais, a party form by attendees of de Brussels exposition.

Bolikango soon thereafter create de Association des ressortisants du Haut-Congo (ASSORECO). From 20 January to 20 February 1960 Bolikango attend de Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference insyd Brussels to discuss de Congo ein future under Belgian rule, serving as de leading delegate for ASSORECO. He be assisted by ein political adviser Victor Promontorio, whom he know since demma childhood. Bolikango be made a member of de conference ein bureau. During de discussions he make an unexpectedly sharp denunciation of Belgian propaganda. He sana acted as de spokesperson for de Front Commun, de political umbrella for all de Congolese delegations. Insyd dat capacity on 27 January he publicly revealed dat independence would be granted to de Congolese on 30 June. Following de conference he travel plus a colleague to Bonn, Federal Republic of Germany to meet local politicians.

#### '''Attempts at consolidation'''
To consolidate ein political power insyd Équateur Province, Bolikango summon a congress to Lisala dat lasted from 24 March to 3 April. Like ein own party, de oda political groups of Équateur dey lack de necessary support to make significant gains insyd de upcoming independent elections. Bolikango be eager to win a prominent government office den aim to form a broad coalition plus de Ngombe, Mongo, den Ngwaka peoples den oda minorities insyd de province to achieve it. Dis can be best accomplished, insyd ein view, through an alliance of ein own groups, de FUB den ASSORECO, plus UNIMO, FEDUNEC, UNILAC, den local chiefs who do not already put demma support behind de PNP.

Insyd ein opening address at de congress, Bolikango say dat while "parties based on ethnic foundations" made de first step toward a unified Congo, de "national interest" of de country rested upon a "unity of will". He enumerate dat dis "do not mean dat each ethnic group must abandon ein own characteristics, but dat through these differences one must endeavour to form a harmonious ensemble." De UNIMO leadership be skeptical of Bolikango ein unified outlook for de Congo den remain independent, although he secured de support of de Ngombe, some of de Ngwaka den Bangala, den chiefs from de Lisala, Bongandanga, den Bumba regions. De FUB made an alliance plus ASSORECO den FEDUNEC, transforming into de Parti de l'Unité Nationale (PUNA). In spite of its attempts to garner more national appeal, de new party retain its regional bias den fail to amass substantial outside support, costing Bolikango much of ein backing insyd Léopoldville. Still, dis reformed political base allowed him to win a position as a national deputy from de Mongala district insyd de May 1960 national election by 15,000 votes. He use ein position as de president of PUNA to mediate a dispute between de party den minority alliances insyd Équateur den create a coalition provincial government. After de elections PUNA gradually pulled apart into two different wings, one lead by Bolikango den de other by Équateur Provincial President Laurent Eketebi.

Meanwhile, de MNC sharply criticised Bolikango ein connections plus de Belgians, undermining ein reputation insyd both Équateur den de capital. De Alliance des Bakongo (ABAKO) sana despise him due to ein support for Catholic missions den de perception dat he be "pro-white". He spend de month of May touring de Congo, dey claim dat he had de support of oda party leaders insyd an alliance against Lumumba den de MNC. Dis opposition alliance be soon announced as de Cartel d'Union Nationale. As Lumumba dey assemble ein proposed cabinet, de Chamber of Deputies convened on 21 June to elect its officers. Bolikango made a bid to be President of de Chamber, but lost de vote to de MNC candidate, Joseph Kasongo, 74 to 58. De subsequent election of de Senate ein officers sana indicate an MNC advantage. Realising dat Lumumba ein bloc control Parliament, several members of de Cartel become eager to negotiate for a coalition government so they can share power, especially Bolikango, who hope to secure de position of Defence Minister. Dis do not occur, but he dey do exact a written pledge from Lumumba of support for ein bid to become de first President of de Republic of de Congo in exchange for ein party ein backing of Lumumba ein government.

Bolikango face former protégé, Joseph Kasa-Vubu of ABAKO, insyd de parliamentary vote for de presidency. Lumumba realise dat de Belgians will only accept him as Prime Minister if Kasa-Vubu hold office, so he switch allegiances, privately dismissing Bolikango as a "pawn of Belgium den a protégé of de Catholics", den secretly endorsing Kasa-Vubu. Bolikango lost de parliamentary vote 159 to 43 den dey leave infuriated. Insyd addition to Lumumba ein duplicity, Bolikango sana suffered insyd de election due to ein recent association plus de colonial administration den ein breaking plus de Cartel to negotiate plus Lumumba. According to ein friend, Thomas Kanza, de loss be "de most bitter failure insyd ein entire career." He then help organise an anti-MNC coalition insyd Parliament.

**Congo Crisis**

During de Congo Crisis dat followed Congolese independence, Bolikango act as a United States Central Intelligence Agency informant. Early insyd de crisis he accuse Prime Minister Lumumba of ignoring opposition groups den deliberately stifling dissent; on 3 August he officially denounce Lumumba ein policies. Five days later he announce dat he will support de formation of a separate republic insyd Équateur Province. Insyd return, Lumumba accuse him of plotting de secession of de region. On 1 September Bolikango be arrested insyd Gemena on Lumumba ein orders, ostensibly for committing secessionist activities den planning assassinations of both Lumumba den Kasa-Vubu, den bring to de capital. Dis lead to demonstrations by ein supporters throughout de city on de following day. On 5 September de Chamber of Deputies, particularly upset by Bolikango ein arrest, pass a resolution demanding dat all detain members of Parliament be released. Soon thereafter, President Kasa-Vubu dismissed Lumumba from office den replaced him plus Joseph Iléo. Sympathetic soldiers freed Bolikango from ein confinement on 6 September. During Iléo ein brief first term from 13 to 20 September Bolikango serve as Minister of Information den Minister of Defence. Insyd December he attend a Francophone-African conference insyd Brazzaville as part of a Congolese government delegation.

During Iléo ein second term from 9 February until 1 August 1961 Bolikango hold de post of Deputy Prime Minister. By then he feel threaten by de sudden collapse of political unity insyd de Congo den supported de government ein efforts at re-centralisation. He dey participate insyd de Tananarive den Coquilhatville conferences of March den April 1961, wey represent Équateur den Ubangi, respectively, to seek a compromise on constitutional issues. Throughout June he work alongside Cyrille Adoula den Marcel Lihau to negotiate a settlement between de central government den a rival Free Republic of de Congo insyd de eastern portion of de country. Dis culminated insyd a conference insyd July dat result insyd de election of Adoula as Prime Minister. Bolikango be certain dat he will sana be elected as President but Kasa-Vubu retain de office.

After de conference Bolikango help to mediate negotiations between Adoula den secessionist figure Moïse Tshombe, leader of de breakaway State of Katanga. Bolikango claim dat he alone can resolve de situation by sitting "Bantu fashion plus legs out stretched" around a table plus Tshombe. He schedule a political conference to take place insyd Stanleyville to create a new political party plus Antoine Gizenga plus de intent of isolating Kasa-Vubu den ABAKO insyd Parliament so he can remove de former from de presidency den replace him. De plans dissolved after Gizenga be arrested insyd January 1962. On 13 February Bolikango be appointed Deputy Prime Minister. On 12 July Adoula downsized ein government den dismiss him from ein post. He then re-enter de parliamentary opposition den, by August, be working  plus Rémy Mwamba and Christophe Gbenye (both ex-ministers also dismissed from Adoula's government) to try den secure support to dislodge Adoula. Bolikango be de opposition ein favorite to replace de Prime Minister. Insyd 1963 following de defeat of Katanga, he manage to organise an opposition coalition to Adoula ein government, consisting of ABAKO, leftist followers of Lumumba (by then killed) den Gizenga, den Tshombe ein Confédération des associations tribales du Katanga (CONAKAT). He sana foil an attempt by one of Adoula ein ministers to establish a pro-government party insyd Équateur. Dat year Parliament be adjourned den Bolikango ein term as a national deputy ended. Insyd late 1963 Laurent Eketebi leave PUNA den allied einself plus de Budja tribal minority insyd de provincial assembly, wey destroy de concept of a unified Bangala tribe dat Bolikango dey use to elevate ein social den political standing.

Insyd 1962 Parliament assent to de partitioning of de Congo ein six provinces into smaller political units. De subdivision damage PUNA ein political clout, as it have a strong following insyd Coquilhatville, de Équateur capital, but not insyd de outlying areas, where it rely on control of de provincial administration to ensure ein presence. Bolikango had opposed de splitting of Équateur, den insyd 1965 he made provincial reunification a key part of ein parliamentary campaign platform. Insyd de 1965 elections he be reelected to a second term insyd de Chamber of Deputies on a PUNA–Convention Nationale Congolaise (CONACO) ticket. He receive 53,083 preferential votes, making him de most popular Congolese representative of ein respective constituency, second only to Tshombe insyd southern Katanga. Nevertheless, ein provincial reunification proposal meet strong resistance from de deputies of Ubangi Province—one of de successor divisions to Équateur—den be not carried out.

#### '''Mobutu regime'''
Joseph-Désiré Mobutu seized power insyd November 1965, den on 24 November Bolikango be appointed Minister of Public Works. Mobutu sana intervened insyd a territorial dispute insyd de former Équateur Province den awarded contested land to Ubangi over Moyen-Congo—de new province Bolikango represented. Upset over de outcome, Bolikango convened a meeting of parliamentarians from both provinces insyd February 1966 to discuss de restoration of Équateur. Ein ideas attracted more support than during ein previous attempt, as there be provincial assemblymen insyd Ubangi already petitioning demma government for reunification den numerous CONACO politicians dey initiate a campaign to eliminate Cuvette-Centrale Province after losing a local struggle for power. Plus Mobutu ein support, Équateur be restored on 11 April.

On 4 April Mobutu dismissed Bolikango from ein ministerial post, ostensibly for "lack of discipline den refusing to follow received orders." Dis firing be de first of many Mobutu will use to pressure established Congolese politicians, though Bolikango was not left disadvantaged for long; on 4 July 1968 he be appointed to de political bureau of de Mouvement Populaire de la Révolution (MPR), de state party, serving there until 16 December 1970. Bolikango ein second term as a national deputy ended insyd 1967. From 1970 until 1975 he served a final term in Parliament, representing the Kinshasa constituency.

Insyd ein later life Bolikango serve as managing director of de Sogenco construction company den general delegate to de Société zaïroise de Matériaux den STK parastatals. During de same time he made frequent trips to Lisala, where he remain a popular figure. Rumors surfaced insyd de capital dat Bolikango be planning to use ein regional political esteem for subversive purposes, so de Mobutu regime closely monitored ein activities. Bolikango join de MPR ein central committee insyd September 1980. He die from an illness on 17 February 1982 insyd Liège, Belgium.

## Legacy
Sociologist Ludo De Witte write of Bolikango as a "neo-colonial" politician who be "short-sighted den power-crazy". Bolikango be remembered insyd de Congo as one of de "fathers of independence". De Fondation Jean Bolikango be created by Bolikango ein grandson insyd ein memory. De foundation focuses on supporting education den social progress. Insyd 2005 President Joseph Kabila posthumously awarded Bolikango a medal for dedication to civil service. Bolikango sana be a Commander of de National Order of de Leopard, member of de Royal Order of de Lion, den a recipient of de Benemerenti medal (1950), Medaille Commémorative du Voyage royal (1955), gold medal of de Association Royale Sportive Congolaise, den bronze den silver medals for oda acts of public service. On 22 February 2007 a ceremony be held insyd Équateur to commemorate de 25th anniversary of ein death.

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