Congo-Kinshasa: Prime Minister Tuluka Reveals Highly Anticipated New Government

The long-awaited cabinet of Congo’s first female prime minister, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, has finally been unveiled, bringing together some close allies of President Felix Tshisekedi. The stakes are high as fighting in the east of the country continues to escalate.

After months of anticipation, the cabinet was made public at 2:00 in the morning local time on May 28. President Felix Tshisekedi, who was sworn in for a second term in January, appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the prime minister in early April.

The new government, led by Suminwa, consists of 54 members, including six deputy prime ministers, 10 ministers of state, 24 ministers, four deputy ministers, and ten vice ministers. Notable members of the cabinet include Jean-Pierre Bemba, who takes over the Ministry of Transport, and Guy Kabombo Mwadiambita, a newcomer to the government who now heads the Ministry of Defense.

Guylain Nyembo, a former cabinet member of President Tshisekedi, now leads the Ministry of Planning, while Jackmain Shabani, a former special advisor to the president, is the deputy prime minister in charge of the interior.

Judith Suminwa Tuluka, 56, hails from Central Congo and has a background in applied economics and human resource management. Before becoming prime minister, she worked in the banking sector and at the United Nations Development Program, focusing on peacebuilding and democracy strengthening.

Tuluka’s appointment as prime minister has been met with enthusiasm, especially among Congolese women who see her as a symbol of empowerment. As the first female prime minister, there are high hopes for her to bring positive changes to the country.

However, Tuluka faces a daunting task as the security situation in eastern Congo remains dire. With over 100 armed groups operating in the region, including the M23 rebels, the humanitarian crisis in the area is worsening, with more than 7 million people displaced.

Despite the challenges, there is optimism that Tuluka’s experience and knowledge of the region’s security issues will enable her to make informed decisions and work towards resolving the insecurity in the east. As she takes on this critical role, all eyes are on Judith Suminwa Tuluka to lead Congo through these turbulent times.