The appointment of a new government in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has put an end to months of political unrest, spokesman Tina Salama said early on Wednesday. For the country, which has been in a tense political situation since the elections in late 2023, this represents a major turning point. Internal strife within his Sacred Union coalition, which has a sizable majority in parliament, had caused President Felix Tshisekedi, who was elected to a second term, to experience difficulties in assembling a new cabinet.
The turning point was the selection of Vital Kamerhe, the former chief of staff of Tshisekedi, as speaker of the house on May 22 and Judith Suminwa as the first female prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on April 1. The creation of the new administration was made possible by these important positions, which includes 54 ministers, a slight reduction from the previous 57, despite calls to further cut costs.
Several important appointments were announced by Salama in a broadcast on RTNC, the state television network. Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita was appointed as the new minister of defense, an important role considering the current fighting in eastern Congo with the M23 rebel organization. Muadiamvita, a lawyer by profession, oversaw the official gazette of Congo, which is the official record of the country’s official actions.
Doudou Fwamba Likunde will now lead the finance ministry, and Kizito Pakabomba will lead the mines ministry, which is in charge of managing Congo’s substantial reserves of coltan, copper, and other precious minerals. Given the vital role that Congo’s mineral resources play in the world market and its tremendous mineral wealth, these appointments are strategically significant.
The necessity for compromise between the different groups within the ruling coalition was cited as the reason for the delay in the formation of a government. The president’s director of communications, Erik Nyindu, stressed the significance of coming to a consensus in order to prevent confrontation. He said on RTNC, “Better that than a country full of war.”
The process of President Tshisekedi establishing a stable government has not been without difficulties. His first administration, which was a coalition led by his predecessor Joseph Kabila and formed in 2019, fell apart in 2021. Following this, the Sacred Union agreement was formed, which resulted in the majority control that exists now in the National Assembly.
The new cabinet’s formation is seen as an important moment for Congo, particularly in addressing the numerous challenges the country faces, including economic instability, conflict in the east, and the need for comprehensive reforms in various sectors. The inclusion of key figures with strong backgrounds in law, finance, and mineral resources management reflects a strategic approach to tackling these issues head-on.
Guy Kabombo Muadiamvita, the recently appointed minister of defense, must first deal with the M23 rebel battle, which has severely strained the nation’s resources and stability. He is positioned as an informed and possibly successful leader in this crucial post due to his legal expertise and his work with the government’s official publications.
As Congo’s new finance minister, Doudou Fwamba Likunde will have to manage the country’s complicated economic circumstances in order to stabilize and strengthen the country’s finances. His position will be essential in maintaining financial discipline and promoting economic growth given Congo’s economic difficulties.
Kizito Pakabomba’s appointment as the mines minister is particularly significant due to Congo’s vast mineral wealth, which includes some of the world’s largest deposits of coltan and copper. Effective management of these resources is essential for the country’s economic development and its standing in the global market. President Tshisekedi’s second term and the newly formed government signal a new chapter for Congo, one that holds promise for stability and progress.
