Sovereign National Conference Votes to Change Country Name

In 1992, the Sovereign National Conference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) voted to change the country's name to the 'Democratic Republic of the Congo'. This decision was aimed at marking a new era and redefining the national identity, moving away from the legacy of the past. However, the proposed name change was not implemented at that time, and the official name remained unchanged for several years. It wasn't until 1997, following the overthrow of President Mobutu Sese Seko by Laurent-Désiré Kabila, that the name 'Democratic Republic of the Congo' was officially restored. This change was part of a broader initiative to distinguish the DRC from its neighbor, the Republic of the Congo, and to establish a unique national identity. The country is often referred to as Congo (Kinshasa), Congo-Kinshasa, or Big Congo to avoid confusion with the Republic of the Congo. Additionally, it is abbreviated in various forms such as Congo DR, DR Congo, DRC, DROC, and RDC in French. The name change reflects the ongoing evolution of the DRC's political landscape and its aspirations for a distinct national identity.