Paul Bolya

Paul Bolya (sometimes Paul Bolia) (10 October 1924–2002) was a Congolese politician and leader of a faction in the nationalist movement in the Belgian Congo before independence.

Paul Bolya was born on 10 October 1924 in the Équateur Province, Belgian Congo.

Bolya represented the Mongo people's Parti National du Progrès (PNP) at the Belgo-Congolese Round Table Conference and was the first delegate to formally propose the adoption of a resolution for Congolese independence. He was chosen to be one of the vice presidents of the talks. He led party during the 1960 elections for the Republic of the Congo's first government. It was rumored that the PNP, which was considered politically moderate, was financed by the Belgian government and commercial interests to such an extent that that people began referring to his group as the "party of bribed negroes" (parti des nègres payés). From 12 September to October 10 he briefly served as Minister of Health under Prime Minister Joseph Ileo. In February 1961 he was made Minister of Public Service, a post he held until 2 August, when was made Secretary of State for Justice. He returned to his position as Minister of Health on 11 July, 1962.

Bolya's son, Désiré Bolya Baenga (1957–2010), was a noted essayist and writer.

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