DR Congo president appoints news PM, angers opponents

By Godfrey Olukya

ARU, Democratic Republic of Congo (AA) - President Joseph Kabila on Friday appointed a new prime minister, Bruno Tshibala Nzenze, frustrating the country’s opposition.

President Kabila made the announcement on television, Friday evening.

DRC citizens had been eagerly waiting the decision after Kabila promised on Wednesday he would appoint a new premier within 48 hours.

However, he did not pick the choice of the opposition coalition and most Congolese, Felix Tshisekedi, but instead appointed a former member of leading opposition UDPS party.

He has replaced Samy Badibanga, who resigned on Thursday after being in the post for only three months.

Tshibala Nzanze is a former secretary general of the UDPS which is currently led by Tshisekedi.

A few months ago, he fell out with the party leadership and quit.

His appointment comes after talks to negotiate Kabila's exit from power broke down last week; the main disagreement was on the choice of prime minister.

Bruno Tshibala, 62, is now in a new transitional government meant to organize a presidential election by the end of this year.

Kabila's term of office expired on Dec 16, 2016 but he refused to leave, claiming the country was not yet ready to hold elections.