Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi appoints Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde as Prime Minister.
Mr. Sama Lukonde Kyenge was the General Director of the state mining company GÉCAMINES (General Quarries and Mines), the country’s mining flagship project, a position to which he was appointed by Tshisekedi in June 2019.
Lukonde was also once a sports minister and a former party member of the ex-Katanga governor and wealthy businessman Moïse Katumbi. He had switched allegiance from Katumbi to Tshisedi led the party in 2018.
Mr. Katumbi, who has in turn supported Mr. Tshisekedi in recent months, welcomes the appointment of the new Prime Minister.
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.
Tshisekedi, who 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.
Tshisekedi now hopes to form a new majority in parliament by winning over members of Kabila’s coalition.
