The role of speaker makes Kamerhe, a close ally of President Felix Tshisekedi, the country's number two authority. Of the 407 members of parliament who cast ballots on Monday, 371 voted in favour of Kamerhe's candidacy for speaker. Tshisekedi named Judith Suminwa as Congo's first female prime minister on April 1. The Sacred Union, Tshisekedi's coalition, has a majority in parliament with at least 90 percent of elected members of the 500 seats in parliament. Kamerhe has previously served as Tshisekedi's chief of staff and as deputy prime minister of the economy.

Source: Daily Nation May 23, 2024 13:46 UTC