DRC Elects Woman Speaker Of Parliament

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has nominated Jeanine Mabunda to the position of speaker of the National Assembly. Mabunda is the first woman to take up the post, taking over from Aubin Minaku who served as speaker between 2012-2019.

Mabunda was elected unopposed after her main opponent Henri Thomas Lokondo was disqualified. She belongs to former President’s Joseph Kabila’s Common Forum for Congo (FCC) and enjoys the backing of President Tshisekedi and his Cap for Change (CACH) coalition. However, the opposition boycotted the vote.

Mabunda has previously served as Minister of Industry during Kabila’s presidency and is the leader of the former ruling party’s women’s league. Jean-Marc Kabund of the ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) will serve as her deputy.