DR Congo acquires new government, Seven months after President's inauguration

"The government is finally here." Seven months after the inauguration of the new head of state Felix Tshisekedi on January 24, the future coalition government of the Democratic Republic of Congo was unveiled on the night of Sunday to Monday, August 26.

>> When will the first government of Felix Tshisekedi?

"The President of the Republic, head of state, has finally signed the ordinance.Today, the government having been formed, we will soon get to work after having the inauguration of the National Assembly", Prime Minister Sylvester Ilunga, himself appointed on May 20, told the press.

First coalition of the country

The Assembly is meeting in extraordinary session until September 7 to invest the government. The spokesman for the presidency then began reading the names of the government members.

This is a coalition government between the political forces of Felix Tshisekedi, proclaimed the winner of the presidential election on December 30, and his predecessor, Joseph Kabila, who held a majority in Parliament and in the 26 provinces of largest country in sub-Saharan Africa.

On the basis of an agreement reached between the two parties, the executive had to include 65 members, including 42 from the ranks of the Common Front for Congo (FCC), the pro-Kabila coalition, and 23 of Cape Town for change. (Cape Town), President Tshisekedi.

"This is a cohabitation experience that is the first in our country," said the Prime Minister, himself an economist who has the confidence of Joseph Kabila.

A lady Deputy Prime Minister

The discussions between the two political forces took "a long time", because it was necessary "to empty everything that could hinder the functioning of the government", continued Ilunga, according to which "the change begins now".

The government includes "83% men and 17% women." This percentage is still low, but it must be weighted by the importance of the portfolios that have been allocated to women, "said the Prime Minister.

"So we have a lady Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Planning and a lady Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs," he said. Two other women are ministers of state.

A total of 76.9% of ministers have never been members of the government before, he said, "which is an important innovation".

With AFP