Sankuru is one of 25 new provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo specified in the country's 2005 Constitution (effective 18 February 2006), under Article 2.[1] It was to be created from country's the existing 10 provinces within 36 months (18 February 2009), according to Article 226.[2] As of October 2010, this had not taken place.[3] It is currently part of the Kasai-Oriental province.
The capital of the province is Lodja.[4]
The major geographical feature of this area is the Sankuru River, Lomami River, Lubefu River and Lukenie River.
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The Sankuru province is mainly an agricultural province from north to south and from east to west. Its main staples are rice, banana, pineapple, potatoes, sugar cane, sorghum and various local agricultural produce.
The 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.
Sankuru is an agricultural and rural province in the centre of Congo - Kinshasa. Its 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 represent a real challenge to the development of the Sankuru.
Former prime Minister Patrice Emery Lumumba and Congolese Music Superstars such as Papa Wemba (Shungu Wembadio Pene Kekumba), Koffi Olomide, Pepe Kalle and Franco Luambo Makiadi (Lokanga La Ndju Pene) are from The Sankuru Province. The first Congolese Army General Victor Lundula, General Otshudi and General Olenga are all from Sankuru. The Sankuru province has a long history as an important Congolese feeder area. The province has produced many professionals in the medical, pharmacist and health related fields, such as doctors, nurses, university lecturers, teachers and engineers who usually left Sankuru never to come back.
There are typically three natural environments in the Sankuru province: forest, savanna and bush. There are numerous mountains, valleys, and striking natural obstacles.
This province 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.
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.
Sankuru remains fundamentally focused on education. It has many primary and secondary schools on its territory. 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. The sankuru province has several colleges called Institut Supérieur.
Administered from 1966-2009 as the District of Sankuru, the province is now divided into 6 territories:
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