On Monday, Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as the nation’s first female prime minister, a move aligning with his campaign promises and signaling progress in forming a new government post his reelection. Tuluka, the former planning minister, takes the helm amid escalating conflict in the mineral-rich eastern Congo, an area now among the world’s most severe humanitarian crises with over 7 million displaced people.
In her first speech, Tuluka committed to peace and development, highlighting the complex situation in the east, where multiple armed groups, some reportedly backed by Rwanda, contribute to the unrest. The formation of Tuluka’s government may be delayed due to necessary negotiations among diverse political parties.
The eastern part of Congo, far from the capital Kinshasa, is plagued by violence involving over 120 armed factions fighting for control of natural resources. This violence has worsened after the expulsion of U.N. and regional peacekeepers, accused by the Congolese government of failing to quell the unrest.
Recently, the M23 rebel group’s territorial expansion in eastern Congo has been a significant concern, with the U.N. and the U.S. urging Rwanda and Congo to reduce tensions. The U.S. has specifically called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces and criticized its support for M23, amidst Congo’s accusations and Rwanda’s denials and claims of defensive posturing.