DR Congo announces new coalition government

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo announced a new coalition government on Monday, seven months after President Felix Tshisekedi was inaugurated as the country's head of state.

"This is a cohabitation experience that is the first in our country and change is starting now," said Prime Minister Sylvester Ilunga Ilunkamba, who was appointed on May 20.

The new government has brought in new blood.

"76.9% of ministers have never been members of the government," said Ilunkamba.

It comprises 65 members of which 42 are from former President Joseph Kabila's Common Front for Congo coalition and 23 from Tshisekedi's Direction For Change party, according to a power-sharing agreement. The new government has five vice prime ministers.

It includes 17% women, a percentage Ilunkamba said was "still low".

"We have to weigh it by the importance of the portfolios that have been allocated to women," he said, adding that a woman, Elysee Munembwe Tamukumwe was appointed deputy prime minister and another woman Marie Tumba Nzeza, minister of foreign affairs.

Among the new figures are Gilbert Kankonde Malamba as interior minister, Jean Baudoin Mayo Mambeke as finance minister, David Jolino Diwanpovesa Makelele Ma-muzingi as communication and media minister, Eteni Longondo for health minister, and Celestin Tunda Ya Kasende as justice minister.

Tshisekedi won the presidential election on Dec. 30, 2018 with a simple majority of 38.6% of the vote, while the party of Kabila, his predecessor easily won the legislative, senatorial and provincial elections.

*Writing by Felix Nkambeh Tih