Tshisekedi appoints Sama Lukonde Kyenge as DR Congo's Prime Minister

The new Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sama Lukonde Kyenge. /Photo courtesy: DR Congo Presidency - Twitter.

The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo Felix Tshisekedi on Monday appointed Sama Lukonde Kyenge as the country's new Prime Minister.

Kyenge will replace Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba who resigned in January following a no-confidence vote in Parliament.

"The Head of State, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has just appointed Mr. Sama Lukonde Kyenge as Prime Minister in order to lead the next Government of the Sacred Union of the Nation," said a statement from the Presidency.

43-year-old Kyenge has served in various government roles before, including as National Deputy, Minister of Youth and Sports, and more recently Director General of Gécamines, a commodity trading and mining company headquartered in Lubumbashi.