In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the members of the new government are finally known. The first “Holy Union” government that President Tshisekedi wants consists of 56 and its Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. That’s 10 less than the previous team. But it is beyond what was hoped for. According to the head of government, there were many criteria to reconcile.
The Prime Minister said this during his press conference on Monday 12 April. He had hoped to pass under the bar for 50 ministers. This was a request from civil society given the meager resources of the state.
But in the end, the members of the first government of the Holy Union are 57, including the Prime Minister. Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde explains this with the fact that the Holy Union is the largest political coalition known to the Democratic Republic of Congo. 24 political groups. But personalities, especially from civil society, have also been recruited. It is especially a representative of civil society, Rose MutomboChairman of the Consultative Framework for Congolese Women (CAFCO) who will be Minister of Justice.
80% of newcomers in government
So there is still a lot of duplication of portfolios or overlapping responsibilities when efficiency was also a criterion.
Only one in five ministers was part of the old team and those who were not re-elected come from both the presidential coalition and his predecessors. Relatives of opponents Moïse Katumbi and Jean-Pierre Bemba join this government. The two founders of the Lamuka coalition will each take over as Deputy Prime Minister. Christophe Lutundula, near Moise Katumbi, takes over as head of diplomacy. As for Ève Bazaiba, Secretary General of Jean-Pierre Bemba’s MLC, she is responsible for environmental issues.
For the other two posts as Deputy Prime Minister, Jean-Pierre Lihau, the first to open the door to the PPRD, the party for Joseph Kabila to join the Holy Union in charge of the civil service and Asselo Okito Daniel to take over the portfolios. in domestic, security, decentralization and customary matters.
Special attention to women’s representativeness
In key positions, allies from the beginning, Vital Kamerhe’s UNC, keep the budget and have installed Aimé Boji, its Secretary General, there. Nicolas Kazadi, the finished ambassador for Félix Tshisekedi, takes over the finances. The Ministry of Communications goes to Patrick Muyaya, a member of the United Party Lumumbiste. He is one of the personalities in the reformist group called G13.
Among the reasons that had delayed the announcement of this government was the criterion of women’s representativeness. They ultimately represent 27% of this government and some hold key positions as Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for the environment, justice or mines. The 26 provinces in the country are represented.
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