President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the country’s first female prime minister on Monday.
This landmark decision fulfills Tshisekedi’s campaign promises and marks a significant step towards gender parity in Congolese politics.
Tuluka, a former planning minister, takes on her new role at a critical phase for the nation.
The escalating violence in the mineral-rich eastern Congo has led to the displacement of millions of citizens, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
In her inaugural speech broadcast on national television, Prime Minister Tuluka pledged to prioritise peace and development, especially in the conflict-ridden eastern provinces.
She expressed concerns over the plight of those impacted by the ongoing war and restated her commitment to seeking sustainable solutions to the crisis.
The government is set to form a new government, a challenging task that requires extensive negotiations with various opposing factions.
Her appointment, however, symbolises a significant breakthrough in Congolese politics and offers hope for greater inclusivity and representative democracy.
Numerous armed groups are perpetuating a cycle of violence and instability to control various regions in the DRC. Both local and international peacekeeping efforts have struggled to contain the conflict, further exacerbating the suffering of the civilian population.
As Prime Minister Tuluka assumes her new role, she faces the daunting task of steering the nation towards stability and prosperity despite the daunting challenges.
