Vital Kamerhe Elected Speaker of DRC Parliament in Delayed Vote

In a delayed vote just days after a foiled coup, the Democratic Republic of Congo's national assembly elected Vital Kamerhe as speaker.

This key step comes five months after the presidential election, which saw President Felix Tshisekedi secure a second term. Kamerhe, a close ally of Tshisekedi, now holds the position of the Central African country's number two authority.

On Monday, out of 407 members of parliament, 371 voted in favor of Kamerhe's candidacy. The MPs are also set to vote on six other positions in the lower house.

The election of Kamerhe as speaker clears the way for Congo to finally name a government, something it has not had since the presidential election in December 2023. On April 1, Tshisekedi appointed Judith Suminwa as Congo's first female prime minister.

The vote, initially scheduled for May 18, was delayed by Tshisekedi. A day later, on May 19, Congolese security forces reported foiling an attempted coup and repelling an attack on Kamerhe's home in the center of Kinshasa. Kamerhe's spokesman, Michel Moto Muhima, confirmed that two guards were killed during the attack.

The Sacred Union, Tshisekedi's coalition, holds a substantial majority in parliament, controlling at least 90% of the 500 seats. Kamerhe, 65, has been a significant political figure, campaigning with Tshisekedi in the 2018 presidential election. He has also served as Tshisekedi's chief of staff and as deputy prime minister of the economy. In 2020, Kamerhe was arrested in a graft probe.