Congo Ex-Leader Keeps Control of Mining as Cabinet Posts Shared

(Bloomberg) -- Former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila will retain control of the key mining portfolio under an agreement with his successor to share cabinet posts between their coalitions.

An agreement concluded July 29 allocates 42 ministerial and vice ministerial posts to Kabila’s Common Front for Congo and 23 to President Felix Tshisekedi’s alliance known as CACH. Sylvestre Ilunga, a Kabila ally, was named prime minister in May.

Key Insights

• The accord signals Tshisekedi is close to forming a government -- six months after being declared the surprise winner of the central African nation’s presidential election. Discussions now turn to the politicians that the FCC and CACH will nominate to the individual positions.
• The FCC’s control of the mines ministry and parliament means there are unlikely to be any changes to industry legislation introduced last year that was opposed by mining companies. The country is the world’s largest source of cobalt and a major producer of metals including copper, gold and tin.
• Kabila’s FCC will keep the key justice and defense ministries, while Tshisekedi will get other critical ministries like foreign affairs and interior. There may be policy roadblocks ahead with the allocation of the finance ministry to the FCC and the economy and budget ministries to CACH.

Read More

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• Congo State Mining Chief Comes Out Swinging After Reappointment
• Why Congo’s Election Outcome Is Raising Hackles: QuickTake

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