Congo, Democratic Republic
"Debout Kongolaise" (Arise Congolese)

Words by: Joseph Lutumba
Music by: Simon-Pierre Boka Di Mpasi Londi
Adopted: 1960, replaced 1972, restored 1997

Congo first adopted its anthem upon independence in 1960. Also known as Congo (Kinshasa), after the capital city, to differentiate it from its neighbour to the west of the same name, the anthem was kept until 1972, when the national symbols were changed and the country's name was changed to Zaire. A coup in 1997 restored the national symbols, including the name and anthem, back to the symbols adopted upon independence. (Interestingly, the author and composer also wrote Zaire's anthem!)

See also: Katanga, Zaire.