The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has announced a new government, concluding five months of political uncertainty.
On Wednesday, the state broadcaster RTNC reported the formation of a new 54-member cabinet, marking the end of the impasse that followed President Felix Tshisekedi’s re-election in December. This development comes just ten days after an attempted coup was thwarted.
Key among the new appointments is Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita as the defence minister, a critical role given the recent coup attempt and ongoing conflict with Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the mineral-rich eastern region.
President Tshisekedi, who ascended to power in 2019 with ambitions to transform the DRC into “the Germany of Africa,” was re-elected with over 70 percent of the vote.
However, forming a new government proved challenging due to coalition negotiations within his “Sacred Union of the Nation” platform.
Despite these challenges, Tshisekedi recently appointed Judith Suminwa as the DRC’s first female prime minister and named Vital Kamerhe, his ex-chief of staff convicted of embezzlement, as parliament speaker.
The new cabinet, slightly reduced from 57 to 54 ministers, reflects a compromise amid pressures to cut costs.
