On Monday, state television announced the appointment of Judith Suminwa Tuluka, the planning minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the nation’s first female prime minister.
An economist by profession, Judith Suminwa Tuluka assumes the role of prime minister, succeeding Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, after President Felix Tshisekedi’s decisive re-election on December 20.
Tshisekedi secured victory with 73.47 percent of the vote in an election that was largely peaceful, marking a significant departure from the country’s history of violence and instability.
However, the opposition denounced the election as fraudulent.
Officially extended voting by a day due to logistical challenges and prolonged polling in remote regions characterised the election process.
Parties aligned with Tshisekedi secured over 90 percent of parliamentary seats, providing him with significant legislative leverage.
The newly appointed prime minister will be entrusted with advancing the president’s stated agenda focusing on employment, youth empowerment, women’s rights, and fostering national unity in the country with a population of approximately 100 million.
President Tshisekedi, who assumed office in 2019, pledged to enhance living standards in DR Congo, a nation abundant in mineral resources but with a predominantly impoverished populace, and to bring an end to the 25-year-long conflict in the eastern region.
Despite his initial promises, Tshisekedi was unable to fulfil them but sought a second term based on achievements like providing free primary medication and advocating for another mandate to “consolidate” these advancements.
Approximately seven million people have been internally displaced due to conflicts in DR Congo, which is one of the world’s poorest countries, according to the United Nations.
The security situation in North Kivu province has worsened due to the emergence of the Rwanda-backed rebel group M23, which has seized control of significant portions of the territory over the past two years.
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