Samy Badibanga

Samy Badibanga Ntita (born 12 September 1962) is a Congolese politician who was Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from November 2016 to May 2017. He was also on the ballot for the 2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election as a presidential candidate.

Early life and education Badibanga was born on 12 September 1962 in Kinshasa (Léopoldville), Republic of the Congo. He graduated from the Higher Institute of Human Sciences in Geneva in 1986, then the School of the High Council of the Diamond (Hoge Raad voor Diamant) in Antwerp and the International Gemological Institute of Antwerp.

Career Professional His career began in 1986 when he became a managing director of SOCODAM SPRL. He also became the director and managing director of SAMEX TRADING SPRL in 1995.

Badibanga was closely associated with opposition leader Étienne Tshisekedi before the November 2011 presidential election and was elected national deputy the same year.

In October 2016, Badibanga participated in a dialogue between the government and some elements of the opposition regarding the timing of the next election. The dialogue resulted in an agreement for Kabila to remain in office beyond the normal end of his term (December 2016) to allow time for the organization of the next election, which was delayed until April 2018, while also stipulating that a representative of the opposition would serve as Prime Minister during the period leading up to the election. More radical elements of the opposition, associated with Étienne Tshisekedi, opposed any deal with the government allowing Kabila to remain in office. On 19 December 2016, he formed his cabinet.

Badibanga resigned in April 2017 after Kabila announced that he planned to appoint a new prime minister from the opposition. Kabila appointed Bruno Tshibala as Prime Minister on 7 April.

On 27 July 2019, Badibanga was elected vice-president of the upper house of the DRC parliament, The Senate.

Personal life He is the father of Béni Badibanga, a professional footballer.