DRC PM resigns after censure

DR Congo’s Prime Minister, Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, resigned on Friday, the presidency said.

Lawmakers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) had dismissed the PM on Wednesday evening during a parliament plenary session held in Kinshasa.

Ilunga, a close ally to former president Joseph Kabila whose supporters have been in a power struggle with Tshisekedi, was constitutionally required to resign after being censured by the National Assembly.

The move will enable President Felix Tshisekedi to appoint his own premier supported by a new parliamentary majority.

Vote of no confidence
The dismissal came after the majority of the lawmakers passed a vote of no-confidence on the Premier alleging his inability in the management of the country.

The National Assembly approved a motion of censure against Ilunga Ilunkamba and his government by 367 votes to seven.

The Prime Minister boycotted the session terming it illegitimate under the constitution and internal regulations of parliament.

The session was also boycotted by pro-Kabila party MPs who also stressed that the parliament session had no mandate capacity to organize the vote according to the constitution.

President Félix Tshisekedi and his two new allies still do not agree on the appointments of several heads of major institutions, following the end of the alliance between him and former president Joseph Kabila. The post of Prime Minister and leadership of the National Assembly’s office are in contention.

Tshisekedi took office in January 2019 but has been frustrated by a coalition government with Kabila’s allies, who won parliamentary majorities in the same election.

By controlling a majority in Parliament, President Tshisekedi would be able to nominate a cabinet of his choosing after two years in which Kabila’s allies have dominated the major ministries.

Tshisekedi now hopes to form a new majority in parliament by winning over members of Kabila’s coalition

AFN/Nneka Ukachukwu