SUMMARY
BDK (Bundu dia Kongo) was a politico-religious organization established in 1986. Based in DR Congo (Zaire), the group’s name meant “Union of the Bakongo people” or “Kingdom of Kongo” in the Kikongo language. BDK sought independence for the areas that had been part of the 15th century Kongo Kingdom within DR Congo (Zaire).
Religious conviction lay at the center of the BDK’s secessionist aspirations. Triggered by a message sent to the group founder from God to liberate the Kongo Kingdom and its people, the BDK adhered to a blend of religious, political, and scientific beliefs that built upon the ethnic culture and history of the Bakongo, whom they believed the kingdom belonged to. During the 15th century, the Kongo Kingdom was located in central-western Africa and comprised the modern areas of northwestern Angola including the Cabinda province, western DR Congo (Zaire), southwestern Congo and part of Gabon. Therefore, the BDK’s overall objective was to liberate all the areas of the Kongo Kingdom, beginning with those in DR Congo (Zaire).
The stronghold of BDK was in the Kongo Central province of DR Congo, which was formerly known as Bas-Congo province prior to 2015. Many of its members were from the Bakongo ethnic group that predominantly populated this area. Out of a provincial population of around 3 million people, provincial officials estimated that BDK had approximately 100 000 followers.
In 2002, the BDK set up its own law enforcement militia wing, which had its own national flag and anthem. Its members were called “Mikenge” or “Makesa”; the latter meaning “soldier” in the Kikongo language. Sometime between 2008 and 2010, the BDK also formed its political party called Bundu dia Mayala (BDM). Although the BDK could be considered the religious wing of the BDM, there was no substantive distinction between the BDK and the BDM in reality.
Ne Muanda Nsemi, also referred to as Bernard Mizele Nsemi in earlier reports and originally named Zacharie Badiengila, was the founder and leader of BDK, as well as the BDM. He was studying chemical sciences at university when he claimed to have experienced his spiritual revelation from God in 1969. After establishing BDK in 1986, Nsemi wrote “Makongo” as a holy book for the group in 1992. Due to the secessionist pursuits of BDK, Nsemi was imprisoned several times. He was imprisoned in 1995, but managed to escape during the ousting of DR Congolese President Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997; then again in July 1998, until being released with other political prisoners in 1999; thirdly, in March 2017 but he managed to escape two months later with the help of his BDK followers. Despite these prison terms, Nsemi declared himself King of the Kongo Kingdom in 2002 and then served as a Member of Parliament after being elected in 2006, 2011, and August 2017. Nsemi died after suffering of illness on 18 October 2023.
BDK was accused of having ties with the secessionist rebel group, FLEC, which sought to liberate the Cabinda province from Angolan rule.
