Sankuru

Sankuru Province
Province
Coordinates: 3°31′S 23°36′E / 3.517°S 23.600°E / -3.517; 23.600Coordinates: 3°31′S 23°36′E / 3.517°S 23.600°E / -3.517; 23.600
Country	Democratic Republic of the Congo
Capital	Lusambo
Government
• Governor	Berthold Ulungu Ekunda[1]
Area
• Total	105,000 km2 (41,000 sq mi)
Population (2005 est.)
• Total	1,374,239
• Density	13/km2 (34/sq mi)
Official language	French
National language	Lingala Otetela

Sankuru is one of the 26 provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.^[2] Its capital is Lusambo.

Administration

The capital of the province is Lusambo.^[3]

While Sankuru's territories are governed by Territorial Administrators and his Deputy, including various Counselors, cities in Sankuru are governed by Mayors. Townships or collectivities have always Mayors with Council and villages are mainly governed by traditional Kingdoms according to succession legacy. Administered from 1966-2009 as the District of Sankuru, the province is now divided into 6 territories:

• Katako Kombe - with the town of Katako-Kombe
• Kole - with the town of Kole
• Lodja - with the City of Lodja
• Lomela - with the town of Lomela
• Lubefu - with the city of Lubefu
• Lusambo - with the City of Lusambo

History

Sankuru was administered as a province from 1962 to 1966. However, from 1966 to 2015, Sankuru was administered as a district as part of the Kasaï-Oriental province.

Land

The major geographical features are Sankuru River, Lomami River, Lubefu River and Lukenie River. There are typically three natural environments in the province: forest, savanna and bush. There are numerous mountains, valleys, and striking natural obstacles. This province has some of the richest Congolese fauna with its various species of animal including from lions, zebras, antelope, kudu, hippopotami, various species of tropical snakes, crocodiles, turtles, various species of monkeys, an array of fish species, various birds, and chimpanzees. Sankuru has very rich biodiversity.

Economy

Sankuru is mainly an agricultural region. Staple crops are rice, banana, pineapple, potatoes, sugar cane, sorghum and various local agricultural produce. Sankuru's industry is poor and limited to traditional wood production, fishing and construction brick for local consumption. The lack of developed roads, electricity and other transportation infrastructure are a challenge to development.

Sankuru has diamond and cassiterite as well as various other mineral resources. To an important extent, the province depends on imports of primary supplies from large Congolese cities such as Kinshasa, Mbuji Mayi, Lubumbashi and Kindu.

People

Former prime Minister Patrice Emery Lumumba and musicians such as Papa Wemba (Shungu Wembadio Pene Kekumba), Koffi Olomide, Pepe Kalle and Franco Luambo Makiadi (Lokanga La Ndju Pene) are from Sankuru Province. The first Congolese Army General, Victor Lundula, General Otshudi and General Francois Olenga are also all from Sankuru.

Education

Sankuru's primary and secondary schools are mainly organised by the Catholic and Protestant or Methodist Churches. However, The Congolese Government also organises schools via its Education Department. Sankuru have several universities: University Patrice Lumbumba with a campus in Lodja and Tshume-Ste-Marie, University Sainte Anne with a campus in Tshumbe-Ste-Marie and Lusambo.

References