The Democratic Republic of Congo’s planning minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka on Monday named the African nation’s first-ever woman prime minister.
An economist, will take over as prime minister from Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde.
Tuluka said on national television that the “task is big, the challenges are immense but together… we will get there”.
“I am aware of the great responsibility that is mine,” she added, saying she wanted to work “for peace and development” so that the “Congolese people can benefit from the resources” of the country.
Tshisekedi officially triumphed with 73.47 percent in the December vote and the vote passed largely peacefully in a country long torn by violence and instability.
The opposition branded the ballot a sham. Voting was officially extended by a day due to logistical snarls and polls were open for days after in remote areas.
Parties supporting Tshisekedi garnered more than 90 percent of the seats in parliament, allowing him to legislate with ease.
The new prime minister will be tasked with pushing the president’s declared priorities of employment, youth, women and national cohesion for the nation of about 100 million people.
According to the United Nations, some seven million people have been internally displaced by conflict in the DR Congo, one of the world’s poorest countries.
