Congo-Kinshasa: Opposition Polictician Samy Badibanga Named PM
Joseph Kabila, the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has appointed opposition politician Samy Badibanga as prime minister, under a controversial power-sharing deal that effectively extends his term in office.
The move on Thursday was part of an October agreement between the government and fringe opposition groups that was criticised by the main opposition coalition as a Kabila ploy to stay in power.
Badibanga had taken part in last month's talks even though his party - led by longtime opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi - had boycotted them.
The main opposition bloc, the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS), denounced Badibanga's choice as a "provocation", dashing hopes the decision might ease the risk of violence over Kabila's plan to stay on until at least April 2018.
A source close to the leadership of the UDPS, of which Badibanga used to be a leading member until he defied orders not to form a group in parliament, told AFP news agency that his nomination was a "non-event".
Tshisekedi has called himself the country's "president elect" since the last presidential poll in 2011.
Paving the way for Badibanga's nomination, former premier Augustin Matata resigned on Monday.