President Laurent-Desire Kabila yesterday (Sunday) announced a new government, which includes the father of rebel leader Jean-Pierre Bemba, the official Agence Congolaise de Presse (ACP) said today (Monday). The new cabinet has 20 ministers - some 10 less than the one dissolved by Kabila on 20 February. Yerodia Abdoulaye Ndombasi, who was Kabila’s chief of staff, has become the minister of foreign affairs, replacing Jean-Charles Okoto who was appointed a provincial governor in the Kasais. Yagi Sitolo, who was governor of Province Orientale until the province was captured by the rebels, is now minister of public works, ACP said. Business tycoon Bemba Saolona, whose son is leader of the rebel Mouvement de liberation congolais (MLC), was named economy and industry minister.
Cabinet members who retain their old portfolios include Interior Minister Gaetan Kakudji, Justice Minister Mwenze Kongolo, Information Minister Didier Mumengi, and Minister of Human Rights Leonard She Okitundu. The health minister is Mashako Mamba. Kabila, who remains government chief and defence minister, also appointed nine vice-ministers. Three prominent opposition members, including Mines Minister Frederic Kibassa Maliba, lost their cabinet posts, news agencies said.
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