14 Facts About Jacques Masangu

Jacques Masangu-a-Mwanza was born on 20 November 1928 and is a Congolese and Katangese politician and diplomat.

Jacques Masangu, originating from Katanga, attended the Solvay Institute of the Universite Libre de Bruxelles where he graduated in sociology and diplomatic law in 1960.

Jacques Masangu became the First Vice-president of the Congolese Senate in Leopoldville, the country's capital, on 22 June 1960.

Jacques Masangu won the election for First Vice-president with 40 votes against Michel Denge who obtained 37 votes and Joseph Okito who obtained 1 vote.

Jacques Masangu warned Tshombe about the possible dangers of going to the city in hostile territory.

On 7 April 1962, Jacques Masangu resigned and was replaced by Odilon Mwenda.

Back at the service of the Leopoldville government, Jacques Masangu moved to Washington, DC as a Minister Counselor for Congo, where he only stayed for two months.

In 1963, Masangu was appointed as a Deputy Prime Minister charged with social affairs in the government of Cyrille Adoula and, in that capacity, attended the State funeral of John F Kennedy.

Later, Jacques Masangu became the representative to the IAEA in Vienna, ambassador to Italy and representative to the FAO.

Jacques Masangu presented his credentials to Italian president Giuseppe Saragat on 17 October 1969.

Jacques Masangu ended his diplomatic career in The Hague, where he was Congo's ambassador to the Netherlands, agent at the International Court of Justice, and member of the board of directors of the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Jacques Masangu represented his country at the precedent-setting case by the ICJ about Abdoulaye Yerodia Ndombasi.

Jacques Masangu founded Lubumbashi-based radio and television outlet Kyondo Radio Television in 2011 and supported the organisation after a fire in 2019.

Jacques Masangu is the father of Jean-Claude Masangu Mulongo, former governor of the Central Bank of Congo.