The DR Congo Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde on Monday, April 12 announced a new cabinet. The complete government overhaul comes after President Felix Tshisekedi on February 15 appointed the Director-General of Gecamines, the state mining company, Lukonde, as the new Prime Minister. Lukonde, 43, replaced 73-year-old Ilunga Ilunkamba—an ally to Tshisekedis predecessor, Joseph Kabila—who lost a vote of no confidence in parliament the previous month. Ilunga resigned from the post on January 28. The new government, dubbed the “Sacred Union of the Nation”, counts 57 members including 14 women as more women join the cabinet. Lukonde said that the new government’s priorities are security, health, education, justice, agriculture, fisheries and livestock, economy, electoral process, infrastructure and digital projects. “The size of the government has been reduced, women’s and young people’s participation has been taken into account. Principles of representation and inclusivity have been upheld,” Lukonde said. The new government sees a reduction in numbers to 57 members and more diversity; with 27% female representation, a younger average age of 47 years and with 80% new figures. The previous team, led by Ilunga had 43 pro-Kabila and 23 pro-Tshisekedi ministers and the portfolios were split 83% male and only 17% female. Members of the anti-Kabila opposition were named to key posts, including environment minister and deputy prime minister Eve Bazaiba of the Movement for the Liberation of the Congo (MLC). The new Foreign Minister is Christophe Lutundula, close to Moise Katumbi, a former governor of Katanga province who himself attempted to challenge Kabila in a 2018 election. The Defence Minister is a retired doctor-general, Gilbert Kabanda -- close to Tshisekedi, and the Minister of the Interior is Daniel Aselo Okito, deputy secretary-general of the UDPS, the presidential party. The appointment of the new government comes four months after the breakup of the coalition of Tshisekedi with Kabila. Last December, Tshisekedi moved to end a coalition formed with Kabila that had for long constrained his authority since he took office in January 2019.
