Background
Jean Umba-di-Luete was born on June 30, 1939, at Seke Konde in Kongo Central Region.
Jean Umba-di-Luete was born on June 30, 1939, at Seke Konde in Kongo Central Region.
Educated locally he studied law at Lovanium University and then went on to the Universite Libre in Brussels where he took degrees in maritime and aerial law.
He returned home to become legal adviser to the provincial assembly in Central Congo until its suppression. He was then Director-General in the Presidency and on October 5, 1967, became Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs followed by another spell as Minister at the Presidency. It was at this stage in 1969 and 1970 that he wielded the most power. He was spokesman for the Council of Ministers and the intermediary through whom everyone had to pass in order to see the President.
Suddenly on September 15, 1970, he had his wings clipped by the President importance as he must approve all new who made him Minister of Power and mining projects in the country, later Minister of Mines on July 2. 1971. He once led the Zairean delegation to In this portfolio he has slightly more the 22nd session of the United Nations.
A dynamic young man, of mixed parentage, from the Bas Congo, who enjoyed a meteoric rise to become Director-General, and later Minister, in the President’s Office, where he was the spokesman for the Council of Ministers and fixed General Mobutu’s appointments. He was scarcely 30, and riding on the crest of a wave, when he was sharply demoted to Minister of Power and later Minister of Mines.