The Democratic Republic of Congo is a state.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo ( [ ˈkɒŋɡəʊ ] [ kɔ̃ɡo ] ; République démocratique du Congo ) , also known as DR Congo , DRC , DROC , Congo-Kinshasa or simply the Congo , is a country located in Central Africa . A republic ( [ res publica , links = yes ] ) is a form of government in which the country is considered a `` public matter '' -- not the private concern or property of the rulers -- and where offices of state are elected or appointed , rather than inherited .