Tuluka Becomes First Female Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo

The government television announced on Monday that Judith Suminwa Tuluka, the Minister of Planning of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has become the first female prime minister in the Central African nation.

The new prime minister, an economist, has taken over from Jean Michel Lukonde following President Felix Tshisekedi's landslide victory in the second term in office in the elections held on December 20 last year.

Tuluka said via state television that "the task is great, the challenges are great, but together we will succeed."

"I am aware of the great responsibility awaiting me," she added, saying she wants to work "for peace and development" so that "the people of Congo can benefit from the country's resources."

Tshisekedi officially won with 73.47 percent in the December elections, which were largely peaceful in a country plagued by violence and insecurity.

However, the opposition claimed the elections were marred by fraud.

The new prime minister will be tasked with implementing the priorities announced by the president regarding employment, youth, women, and national reconciliation in the country of approximately 100 million people.

Tshisekedi became president in 2019, promising to improve the lives in the DRC, a country rich in minerals but with a majority of poor citizens, and to end the 25-year bloodshed in the east of the country.