written by Leon Bomela Loombe
Inaugural Presidential Addresses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 1997–2024
The Rhetoric of Promise and the Politics of Becoming offers a provocative rethinking of the presidential address as a foundational force in the construction of postcolonial statehood. Analysing the inaugural speeches of Laurent-Désiré Kabila, Joseph Kabila, and Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1997–2024), this study reveals that political language does far more than mark ceremonial transitions. Instead, it actively assembles authority, negotiates national identity, and mobilizes the citizenry toward imagined futures. Central to this work is the ‘Rhetoric–Performance Gap’ – the inherent tension between the visionary promises of political discourse and the material realities of governance. Drawing on literary analysis, rhetoric, and performance theory, the book demonstrates how these addresses serve as strategic acts that navigate colonial legacies and democratic aspirations. By tracing the evolution of Congolese rhetoric from revolutionary rupture to narratives of citizen-centred governance, the study argues that legitimacy is never fixed; it is continuously produced through ritual and symbolic performance. Bridging literary and political science, this book asserts that in postcolonial contexts, words are not merely reflective – they are constitutive of power. It is essential reading for scholars of African studies, political discourse, and postcolonial theory.
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‘This incisive and elegantly argued study offers a compelling analysis of inaugural presidential addresses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1997 to 2024, illuminating how political speech functions as a critical site for the construction of postcolonial identity and authority. Leon Bomela persuasively demonstrates the centrality of performativity in shaping legitimacy, mobilising national consciousness, and mediating the complex process of state formation. By foregrounding the rhetorical dimensions of governance, this book makes a significant and original contribution to African literary and political studies.’ — Minga Kongo, Faculty of Humanities, University of Cape Town, author of The Turning Coin. ‘This book provides an insightful overview of presidential speeches in the DR Congo, tracing the political trajectory from the fall of President Mobutu to the present day. The methodological approach is particularly captivating; through the skilful application of literary close reading, rhetorical analysis, critical discourse studies, and pragmatics, Bomela exposes the stark discrepancies between official rhetoric and material practice. In painting a vivid picture of broken promises, the work serves as a necessary call to consciousness for leaders and citizens alike, advocating for a profound rupture with the past. This study is strongly recommended foracademics, policy-makers, and the public within the DR Congo and beyond.’ —Norbert Ilunga, Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Kisangani.