Three relatives of Moise Katumbi left the government on Wednesday, December 28. The Minister of State in charge of Transport and Communication Routes Chérubin Okende Senga, the Minister of Planning Christian Mwando Nsimba Kabulo, as well as Véronique Kilumba Nkulu, Deputy Minister of Health, say they want to draw the consequences of the departure of Ensemble for the Republic, the party of the former governor, of the platform in power, the Sacred Union. Conversely, three other pro-Katumbi ministers preferred to keep their posts.
With our correspondent in Kinshasa, Patient Ligodi
It all started last Monday. Minister of State in charge of Transport and Communication Channels Chérubin Okende Senga and his planning colleague Christian Mwando Nsimba Kabulo, as well as Deputy Minister of Health Véronique Kilumba Nkulu met Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde. They expressed to him their desire to leave the government. On Wednesday, the exchange with Félix Tshisekedi lasted half an hour.
These former members of the government reiterated their decision “ to remain loyal to the commitments vis-à-vis the political family of Moïse Katumbi “. The latter broke his alliance with Félix Tshisekedi and announced his candidacy for the next presidential scheduled for December 2023.
Felix Tshisekedi thanked them for ” services rendered to the nation “.
This is the second time that Christian Mwando Nsimba Kabulo has left the institutions in similar circumstances, showing his closeness to the ideas of Moses Katumbi. In 2015, he had already resigned from his post as provincial finance minister, turning his back on the political family of Joseph Kabila, accused of wanting to stay in power. ” We cannot have changing politicians. what’s right is right “, he told RFI.
For his part, Chérubin Okende Senga had already narrowly escaped a motion of no confidence last October. Even then, he seemed to be straight in his boots: ” It should not embody fear. If this is the consequence, I will assume “, he said before appearing before the deputies.
Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Foreign Affairs Christophe Lutundula, Minister of Higher and University Education Muhindo Nzangi Butondo and Minister of Social Affairs Modeste Mutinga Mutushayi for their part reiterated their loyalty to the current Head of State.
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