The parliament of the Democratic Republic of Congo voted on Wednesday to dismiss Economy Minister Jean-Marie Kalumba, blaming him for rising food prices and mishandling of the fishing industry, among other things.
Following the vote of no confidence, the Economy Minister has 48 hours to submit his resignation. President Felix Tshisekedi nominated him for the position last year.
The parliamentarians’ motion outlined a number of grievances against Economy Minister Kalumba, including the lack of a program to promote local fishermen and regular petroleum shortages that drive up transportation costs.
Last year, a motion of no confidence in parliament forced Congo’s former prime minister, Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba, to resign, taking his government with him.
Congo is Africa’s top copper producer and the world’s top miner of the battery element cobalt, but it is nevertheless one of the world’s poorest and least developed nations.
This week, the administration is likely to unveil fresh steps to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine war.
In January, the central bank of Congo predicted that inflation will be 5.1 percent in 2021 and approximately 5 percent in 2022.