Congo Cabinet Reshuffle Includes Opposition Amid Stalled M23 Peace Talks

The Congolese government reshuffled its cabinet, adding opposition members to build wider support, keeping most former ministers. Peace talks with M23 rebels stalled over prisoner release demands. Conflict persists in the eastern mineral-rich region despite government efforts for unity.

The Congolese government has carried out a cabinet reshuffle that now includes members of the opposition in a bid to build support across the remaining regions where the government still maintains control. In a televised address on Thursday evening, government spokesperson Tina Salama announced the formation of a new cabinet comprising 53 members. Notably, Adolphe Muzito, who previously served as prime minister under former President Joseph Kabila, has been appointed as vice prime minister responsible for the budget.

Despite the reshuffle, over 90% of the former cabinet members have been retained in their positions. This move follows the election of the current president, Felix Tshisekedi, who defeated Joseph Kabila in 2019, ending Kabila’s 18-year reign over the Central African nation.

Meanwhile, planned direct talks scheduled for Friday in Doha between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel movement have not taken place, as neither party has arrived at the venue. On Thursday, the rebels claimed they had not received an official invitation to the negotiations.

The eastern region of the country, rich in mineral resources, is currently a battleground for more than 100 armed groups, with the M23 movement being one of the most prominent. The rebel group currently controls several key cities in the area.

The M23 has declared that it will not participate in further discussions unless the government releases approximately 700 of its members and supporters who have allegedly been detained. Although the government had committed to freeing these prisoners, no release has been reported so far.

On Thursday, the government condemned the M23 for violating the peace agreement that was signed in June. Earlier in February, President Tshisekedi announced sweeping political reforms and proposed the formation of a “government of national unity” aimed at preventing the conflict in the eastern region from escalating into widespread violence.

While the cabinet was initially expected to be smaller, the new cabinet remains quite large, with only one fewer member than the previous cabinet formed in May 2024. This reflects the government’s ongoing strategy to maintain broad-based support across the country.