KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo (AP) – President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday named the country’s first female prime minister, fulfilling a campaign promise and marking a key milestone in forming a new government after being re-elected late last year. I took a step forward.
Former planning minister Judith Suminwa Tulka will join the role as violence escalates in the country’s mineral-rich east, which borders Rwanda. The long-running conflict has displaced more than 7 million people, making it one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, according to the United Nations.
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In his first speech since taking office on state television, Turka pledged to work towards peace and development. Still, forming a new government could take several months, as it will require intensive negotiations with many political parties.
Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi looks on at the guard of honor during his swearing-in ceremony for his second term in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Saturday, January 20, 2024. Tshisekedi was appointed as the country’s first female prime minister on Monday, April 1, and has achieved great results. After his re-election at the end of last year, he fulfilled his campaign promise and took an important step towards forming a new government. (AP Photo/Gailan Kipoke)
“My thoughts extend to the east and to all corners of the country, which today face conflicts with sometimes hidden enemies,” he said. mentioned conflicts involving armed groups. . “I’m thinking of all these people and my heart goes out to them.”
Eastern Congo, far from the capital Kinshasa, has been overrun for years by more than 120 armed groups who carry out genocide for a share of the region’s gold and other resources.
Both regional peacekeepers and UN peacekeepers have been accused by the Congolese government of failing to resolve the conflict and have been asked to leave Congo. As personnel begin to withdraw and Congolese authorities take their place, the violence continues to worsen.
Bintu Keita, the top U.N. special envoy to Congo, told the U.N. Security Council last week that a prominent rebel group known as M23 has gained significant territory in the east, leading to a surge in violence and displacement. He said this is one of the reasons for the sudden increase in the number of people.
Tshisekedi, who was re-elected for a second five-year term in December, accused neighboring Rwanda of providing military support to the rebels. Rwanda denies the claims, but UN experts say there is substantial evidence that Rwandan troops are present in Congo.
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Last month, the United States urged Congo and Rwanda to move away from the brink of war.
The US State Department also criticized the M23, calling it a “Rwandan-backed” armed group, saying Rwanda should withdraw its troops and surface-to-air missile systems from eastern Congo.
Rwanda’s foreign ministry said last month that its troops were defending Rwandan territory as Congo mounted a “significant military buildup” near the border.
