National Order of the Leopard

National Order of the Leopard
Commander cross of the Order, second type (Republic of Zaire)
Awarded by Democratic Republic of the Congo
TypeOrder
StatusActive
SovereignPresident
GradesGrand Cordon
Grand Officer
Commander
Officer
Knight
Precedence
Next (higher)None

Ribbon bar of the order (DR Congo)

Ribbon bar of the order (Zaire)

The National Order of the Leopard (French: Ordre national du Léopard) is the highest national order of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It was first instituted on 24 May 1966 by President Mobutu Sese Seko through Ordinance-Law No. 66-329 as the country's premier award in recognition of outstanding military and civilian service to the state.[1][2][3] The order remained active until 1997, when the Mobutu regime was overthrown by the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo, after which it was no longer awarded.[3][4] In 2002, it was replaced by the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba.[4]

The order was revived following the adoption of Law No. 25/058 by the Congolese Parliament on 23 December 2025.[3][5] The legislation was signed into law by President Félix Tshisekedi and proclaimed through a presidential ordinance on 31 December 2025.[3][5] The order is awarded in recognition of prominent service to the nation and may be granted to Congolese citizens as well as, in exceptional circumstances, foreign recipients.[3][5][6]

The President of the Republic serves as Grand Chancellor of the Order, while its administration is overseen by the Chancellery of National Orders.[4]

Ranks

The National Order of the Leopard was composed of five grades:

  • Grand Cordon
  • Grand Officer
  • Commander
  • Officer
  • Knight

Notable recipients

Grand Cordons

Grand Officers

Commanders

Officers

Knights

References

  1. ↑ Tsala, Boni (2 January 2026). "Création de l'"Ordre national du léopard" et proposition d'une journée unique pour la célébration des héros nationaux" [Creation of the "National Order of the Leopard" and proposal for a single day to celebrate national heroes]. Digitalcongo.org (in French). Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  2. ↑ Kabeya, Arnaud (5 January 2026). "Le président Tshisekedi consacre le retour de l'ordre national du Léopard" [President Tshisekedi celebrates the return of the national Order of the Leopard]. MM2 Online (in French). Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Félix Tshisekedi crée l'Ordre national du Léopard en RDC" [Félix Tshisekedi creates the National Order of the Leopard in the DRC]. Radio Okapi (in French). 1 January 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "LOI 009-2002 du 5 août 2002 portant création de l'ordre national «Héros nationaux». (Présidence de la République)". leganet.cd (in French). Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 "RDC: Félix Tshisekedi rétablit l'Ordre national du Léopard" [DR Congo: Félix Tshisekedi restores the National Order of the Leopard]. Kaweru Infos (in French). 2 January 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  6. ↑ "RD Congo: le président Félix Tshisekedi ordonne la création de l'Ordre national du Léopard" [DR Congo: President Félix Tshisekedi orders the creation of the National Order of the Leopard]. Africa24 TV (in French). 3 January 2026. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Gifts, Awards for Kim Chong-il, Kim Il-song Noted". The Service. KCNA. 1992 [23 December 1992]. p. 22 – via Daily Report: East Asia, Issues 242-252.
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