President Joseph Kabila has made significant progress in liberalizing domestic political activity, establishing a transitional government, and undertaking economic reforms in cooperation with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, serious human rights problems remain in the security services and justice system. The eastern part of the country is characterized by ongoing violence and armed conflict, which has created a humanitarian disaster and contributed to civilian deaths (more than 3.8 million, according to a prominent international non-governmental organization). MONUC continues to play an important peacekeeping role in the D.R.C., and in October 2004, its authorized force strength increased to 16,700.

Key Ministers
Foreign Affairs--Raymond Ramazani
Defense--Adolphe Onusumba
Interior--Theophile Mbemba
Finance--Andre-Philippe Futa
Justice--Honorius Ksimba Ngoy
Information and Press--Henri Mova Sakanyi