Why is french a official language in Democratic republic of Congo?

French is an official language in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) primarily due to the country's colonial history as a Belgian colony until 1960. Following independence, French was retained as a unifying language in a nation with over 200 ethnic groups and numerous local languages, facilitating communication across diverse populations. Additionally, French serves as a language of administration, education, and international diplomacy, further solidifying its status in the DRC.