"Congo is in mourning," Communications Minister Dominique Sakombi said on state-run television Thursday night.
"He gave entirely the best years of his life for the freedom of the Congolese people."
Congolese officials had confirmed the shooting but continued to insist he was alive and in a hospital abroad.
Laurent Kabila
Their position conflicted with numerous foreign officials who reported Kabila's death shortly after a shootout at the president's palace on Tuesday.
- FROM JAN. 17, 2001: Confusion in Congo with fate of president unclear
Apparently, the authorities in the Congolese capital of Kinshasa delayed announcing Kabila's death until they could make sure there wouldn't be anarchy in the streets.
Kabila's son is ruling the Democratic Republic of Congo for now. The state funeral for his father is scheduled for Tuesday.
Kabila took control of Congo – formerly known as Zaire – during a coup in 1997, ousting dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.
Welcomed at first, Kabila eventually lost the support of his key allies, neighbouring countries Uganda and Rwanda.
They now support the rebels who had been fighting to overthrow him since August 1998.
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