DRC Parliament Elects Speaker After Foiled Coup Delay

The Democratic Republic of Congo has elected Vital Kamerhe as the speaker in a postponed vote, a significant move towards forming a government five months after a presidential election.

Kamerhe, a key ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, holds the second-highest position in the country. Among the 407 parliament members who voted, 371 supported Kamerhe’s candidacy for the speaker.

This vote paves the way for Congo to establish a new government, a post vacant since the presidential election in December 2023. On April 1, Tshisekedi appointed Judith Suminwa as the first female Prime Minister of Congo. However, the vote was postponed at the behest of Tshisekedi.

On May 19, there was an attack on Kamerhe’s residence, and security forces thwarted an attempted coup. The Sacred Union, the coalition led by Tshisekedi, holds the parliamentary majority with around 90% of elected members.