Tshisekedi unveils new DRC government, Willy Samsoni named new mines minister

THE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) named a new government for the first time since winning a national election in December, said Reuters citing a statement from prime minister Illunga Illunkamba’s office.

Willy Samsoni, a former mines minister in the local government of Haut Katanga province, was identified as the country’s mines minister.

The DRC’s former director-general of taxes Sele Yalaghuli is the new finance minister, whilst Ngoy Mukena, a close ally of former president Joseph Kabila, was named defence minister, said Reuters.

The absence of a new government was cited as one of the reasons why mining companies such as Barrick Gold and Glencore have been unable to make progress on potential changes to the controversial mining code despite the election of Felix Tshisekedi as DRC president. The code was promulgated last year whilst Tshisekedi’s predecessor, Joseph Kabila, was still in power.

In April this year, Barrick Gold executive chairman, John Thornton, said he was “encouraged” by  Tshisekedi’s speech during a state visit to the US in which he called for further investment in the central African country.

“As the value leader in the global gold sector, Barrick offers the DRC peerless exploration, technical and financial support,” said Thornton. Barrick operates the DRC-based Kibali gold mine in joint venture with AngloGold Ashanti.

“We look forward to continue making a significant and growing contribution to the DRC’s economy and to unlocking the enormous value of its mineral potential,” said Thornton at the time.