National Order of the Leopard

The National Order of the Leopard (Ordre national du Léopard) was the highest honorific decoration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 1966 until 2002 when it was discontinued and replaced by the Order of the National Heroes Kabila-Lumumba. It was instituted on 24 May 1966 in the Ordinance-law Number 66-330 by President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu. It rewarded the high military or civil merits rendered in the Congo.

The President of the Congo was the Grand Chancellor of the Order. Its administration was in the care of the Chancellor.

Ranks
The National Order of the Leopard was composed of five grades :
 * Grand Cordon
 * Grand Officer
 * Commander
 * Officer
 * Knight

Notable recipients
Grand Cordons Grand Officers Commanders Officers Knights
 * Emperor Akihito
 * Maria Barroso
 * Jean-Bédel Bokassa
 * Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
 * Elizabeth II (1973)
 * Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1973)
 * Juan Carlos I of Spain
 * Isaac Kalonji
 * Jules Fontaine Sambwa
 * Haile Selassie
 * Queen Sofía of Spain
 * Kim Il Sung (1992)
 * Kim Jong Il (1992)
 * Georges Forrest
 * Paul Muhona
 * Albert-Joseph Kasongo Wa Kapinga
 * Fernand Kazadi Lupelekese
 * Hugh Wontner
 * Yosia Bulo Butso
 * Peter Piot
 * Robin Gillett
 * Jean Ruhigita Ndagora Bugwika
 * Raymond Dekkers

Unknown Classes
 * Médard Autsai Asenga
 * Jean Bolikango
 * Robin Gillett
 * Jean-Pierre Hallet
 * Hosni Mubarak
 * Ndaye Mulamba