Time for deals now, page-4

Time to roll

https://www.ft.com/content/003a5fea-c7e1-11e9-af46-b09e8bfe60c0

African politicsCongo forms government seven months after Kabila stepped downFelix Tshisekedi names cabinet following months of negotiations August 26, 2019 9:21 am by Tom Wilson in London

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s prime minister finally named a new government, seven months after Felix Tshisekedi replaced Joseph Kabila as president of the central African country.Mr Kabila stepped down in January but his political group won a huge majority in parliament, giving it substantial influence over the appointment of government ministers. The unusual balance of power led to months of negotiations, underpinned by an alleged backroom deal between Mr Tshisekedi and Mr Kabila that saw Mr Tshisekedi take office after a discredited election.The new cabinet includes 23 members of Mr Tshisekedi’s Direction for Change Coalition (CACH) and 42 appointees from Mr Kabila’s Common Front for Congo (FCC).Three quarters of the cabinet are serving in government for the first time, which prime minister Sylvestre Ilunga Ilukamba described as an “important innovation.” The rest held positions in previous administrations, like Aime Ngoy Mukena who served as minister of defence and then minister of oil under Mr Kabila and was appointed to head the defence ministry once again.Patrick Muyaya, a member of parliament for the Palu party allied to Mr Kabila’s FCC, said the cabinet appointments were good news and included many new faces. “Forming this government was the first true test and they succeeded by giving rightful place to women, to youth and to experience,” Mr Muyaya said.Willy Kitobo Samsoni was appointed to head the important mines ministry. Congo is Africa’s biggest producer of copper and the world’s largest source of cobalt, a key ingredient in rechargeable batteries.