By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The President of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Félix Tshisekedi has formed a new government with the appointment of 54-man Ministers to serve in his cabinet, a little reduction from the 57 that served in his first tenure.
The appointments announced in the early hours of Wednesday by a government spokesperson Tina Salama ends months of delay that has characterized the process since Tshisekedi won a disputed poll in the East African country December last year.
The delay in formation of the new government has been attributed to internal jostling for jobs.
Tshisekedi secured a second term after the late December election, in which he brokered an alliance with the Sacred Union, a move that gave his party a majority win in parliament.
On April 1, the President had named Judith Suminwa as Congo’s first female Prime Minister while his ex-chief of staff Vital Kamerhe was appointed Speaker of the Parliament on May 22. This laid the foundation for the appointment of the cabinet members.
According to the government spokesperson, Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita had been appointed defence minister.
A lawyer by training, Muadiamvita was previously head of Congo’s official gazette, the journal of record for legal acts.
He is expected to lead at the forefront as his country seeks to eliminate the M23 rebel group that has in the last two years launched vicious attacks in the eastern part of the country.
Doudou Fwamba Likunde was named finance minister and Kizito Pakabomba was appointed to oversee the mines ministry and Congo’s globally significant reserves of coltan, copper and other minerals.
Tshisekedi formed his first government when he was elected in 2019.
When the coalition with his predecessor Joseph Kabila broke up in 2021, Tshisekedi then formed another coalition.
Since the last election in December, the Sacred Union has held around 95% of National Assembly seats.
