Jean Bolikango

Jean Bolikango.
Jean Bolikango (1909–1982) was a Congolese educator, writer, and conservative politician. He was Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (then Republic of the Congo), in September 1960 and from February to August 1962. Enjoying substantial popularity among the Bangala people, he headed the Parti de l'Unité Nationale and worked as a key opposition member in Parliament in the early 1960s. Beginning his career in the Belgian Congo as a teacher in Catholic schools, he wrote a novel and worked as a journalist before turning to politics in the late 1950s. Though he held a top communications post in the colonial administration, he became a leader in the push for independence. After the Republic of the Congo became independent in 1960, he promoted both a united Congo and strong ties with Belgium. The President of the Congo posthumously awarded Bolikango a medal in 2005 for his long career in public service.