In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a new government was formed on Wednesday 29 May, five months after the re-election of President Félix Tshisekedi for a second term. It comprises 55 members under the
leadership of Judith Suminwa Tuluka, the Prime Minister appointed two months ago.
Aged 56, Ms. Tuluka is the first woman to head a government in this huge central African state, which is geologically rich but plagued by poverty and conflict. She succeeds Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, who
resigned on February 21.
The government team she has put together comprises six deputy prime ministers, nine ministers of state and four deputy ministers. It is slightly smaller than the previous 57-member team. One of the main changes is
the departure of Christophe Lutundula, who was Minister of Foreign Affairs. He hands over his post to Peter Kazadi, former Minister of the Interior.
Nicolas Kazadi inherits the Department of Finance, while Jean-Pierre Bemba, Deputy Prime Minister and former warlord acquitted in 2018 by the International Criminal Court (ICC), leaves the Ministry of Defence for the Ministry of Transport. He has been replaced by Guy Kabongo Mwadianvita, former Director General of the Journal officiel de la RDC and reputedly close to Félix Tshisekedi.
The new government will take office after the National Assembly approves Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka’s government programme by an absolute majority, in accordance with the Congolese
constitution.
This programme will in any case have to include solutions for resolving the conflict in the east of the country,
specifically in the province of North Kivu, with rebel movements such as the M23.
