DR Congo president appoints new government

DR Congo president Felix Tshisekedi has appointed a new government, spokesperson Tina Salama said in the early hours of Wednesday.

President Felix Tshisekedi won a second term after elections in late 2023 that also handed his Sacred Union coalition a large majority in parliament.

But internal jostling for jobs has delayed the formation of a new cabinet of ministers.

On April 1, President Tshisekedi appointed Judith Suminwa as Congo’s first female prime minister. On May 22, his former chief of staff Vital Kamerhe was appointed president of Parliament, paving the way for the appointment of the government.

The new cabinet comprises 54 ministers versus 57 in the last government – a smaller-than-expected downsizing despite pressure to reduce costs.