The Democratic Republic of Congo swore in Judith Suminwa Tuluka as prime minister on Tuesday (June 11), along with her downsized 54-member cabinet, ending over six months of delays following President Felix Tshisekedi’s re-election and his allies’ parliamentary dominance.

Tshisekedi won a second term in late 2023 after elections that handed his Sacred Union coalition around 95% of National Assembly seats. But internal wrangling over ministerial posts delayed the government’s formation.

The president eventually named Suminwa as Congo’s first female prime minister on April 1 and his ex-chief of staff Vital Kamerhe as parliament speaker on May 22, paving the way for the new cabinet’s appointment.

The new government comprises 54 ministers, a smaller-than-expected downsizing from 57 previously despite pressure to reduce costs. Tshisekedi’s communications director Erik Nyindu said the delays allowed time to find compromise between coalition parties.

(Reuters)