Judith Suminwa Tuluka made history on Wednesday as she was sworn in as the first female prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The National Assembly, the lower house of the DRC parliament, saw Tuluka and her 54-member government officially take office after deputies approved her action programme with the requisite absolute majority.
In her inaugural address on Tuesday afternoon, Tuluka expressed her pride in shattering the “glass ceiling” to become the first Congolese woman to serve as prime minister. “By assuming this position, I am fully aware of the historical importance of this moment and the symbolism of this appointment for the Congolese nation. I feel both the weight of the responsibility on me and an immense pride in the idea of representing within the Republic, the culmination of the efforts of all Congolese men and women tending to break the famous ‘glass ceiling’,” she remarked.
Tuluka outlined an ambitious plan for the nation, which includes the creation of approximately 2.6 million jobs and the establishment of an academy of mathematics and artificial intelligence in Kinshasa. Her programme also addresses key areas such as national security, economic diversification, infrastructure connectivity, public services, and climate change.
Tuluka, who holds a master’s degree in applied economics from the Universite libre de Bruxelles in Belgium, was appointed state minister for Planning in March 2023. She also served as deputy coordinator of the Presidential Strategic Monitoring Council, an agency affiliated with the presidential office, from 2020 to 2023.
The new government, unveiled on 29 May, comprises 55 members, including the prime minister, six deputy prime ministers, and 10 state ministers. This is a slight reduction from the 57 members in the March 2023 reshuffle.
Tuluka’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the DRC’s political landscape, symbolising progress towards gender equality and greater representation for women in leadership roles. As she embarks on her tenure, the nation watches with anticipation to see the impact of her leadership on the country’s future.
