Government Dissolved in DR Congo Following Prime Minister’s Resignation

117

The presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo announced on Tuesday that Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde has tendered his resignation, consequently leading to the dissolution of his government.

Lukonde submitted his resignation to President Felix Tshisekedi eight days following the validation of his mandate as a national deputy. He intends to transition to parliament, having been elected in the country’s December polls to represent the Kasenga district.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is a legal requirement that serving ministers do not concurrently hold seats in parliament, necessitating a decision between retaining a legislative position or remaining in government.

In a subsequent statement issued on Tuesday, the presidency affirmed that Lukonde’s government has been tasked with continuing the administration of the country until the formation of a new cabinet.

Lukonde assumed office as prime minister in February 2021 at the age of 43, following the dissolution of the alliance between President Tshisekedi’s coalition and that of former president Joseph Kabila.

After Tshisekedi’s re-election in December, he appointed a representative to identify a majority coalition within the National Assembly to form the next government.

Provisional results, subject to confirmation by the Constitutional Court, indicate that the parties allied with Tshisekedi secured nearly 94 percent of the seats in the assembly.