The Democratic Republic of Congo witnessed the resignation of Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde on Tuesday, prompting the dissolution of his government, as announced by the presidency.
Lukonde tendered his resignation to President Felix Tshisekedi just eight days after the validation of his mandate as a national deputy.
His decision to step down follows his election in the Kasenga district during the December polls, and he now intends to join parliament. However, the legal framework in the DRC stipulates that serving ministers cannot simultaneously hold a parliamentary seat, necessitating a choice between legislative responsibilities and government service.
In adherence to this requirement, Lukonde opted to resign from his role as prime minister. In a subsequent statement on Tuesday, the presidency communicated that Lukonde’s government has been urged to continue its operations until the establishment of a new administration.
Having assumed the position of prime minister in February 2021 at the age of 43, Lukonde’s resignation comes after the dissolution of the coalition between President Tshisekedi and former president Joseph Kabila. Following Tshisekedi’s re-election in December, a representative was appointed to identify a majority coalition within the National Assembly for the formation of the next government.
Provisional results, subject to confirmation by the Constitutional Court, indicate that parties supporting Tshisekedi secured nearly 94 percent of the assembly seats.
