New Govt Appointed in DRC, Ending Months of Political Uncertainty
KINSHASA – The Democratic Republic of Congo has appointed a new government, spokesperson Tina Salama announced early Wednesday, concluding months of political deadlock.
President Felix Tshisekedi secured a second term in the late 2023 elections, which also granted his Sacred Union coalition a significant majority in parliament. However, internal competition for cabinet positions delayed the formation of the new government.
On April 1, Tshisekedi appointed Judith Suminwa as Congo’s first female prime minister, and on May 22, his former chief of staff Vital Kamerhe was named parliament speaker, clearing the way for the government’s formation.
The new cabinet consists of 54 ministers, slightly reduced from the previous 57, despite pressure to cut costs.
In an announcement on state broadcaster RTNC, Salama revealed key appointments: Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita as defence minister, a critical role given Congo’s ongoing conflict with the M23 rebel group in the east.
Muadiamvita, a lawyer, was formerly head of Congo’s official gazette. Doudou Fwamba Likunde was named finance minister, and Kizito Pakabomba was appointed to oversee the mines ministry, managing Congo’s significant reserves of coltan, copper, and other minerals.
The delay in forming the government was due to the need for the ruling coalition parties to reach a compromise, said the president’s communications director Erik Nyindu on RTNC. “Better that than a country full of conflict,” he added.
Tshisekedi first formed a government in 2019 in a coalition with his predecessor Joseph Kabila, which dissolved in 2021. He then established the Sacred Union coalition. Since the December election, the Sacred Union has controlled about 95% of National Assembly seats.
