Judith Suminwa Tuluka (born 19 October 1967) is a Congolese politician who is serving as prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 12 June 2024. She was nominated for the position by President Félix Tshisekedi on 1 April 2024, the first woman in the post,[1][2][3] and took office following the investiture of her government by the National Assembly.[4]
Judith Suminwa | |
|---|---|
 Suminwa in 2023 | |
| Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| Assumed office 12 June 2024 | |
| President | Félix Tshisekedi |
| Preceded by | Sama Lukonde |
| Minister of State Minister of Planning | |
| In office 24 March 2023 – April 2024 | |
| Prime Minister | Sama Lukonde |
| Preceded by | Christian Mwando Nsimba |
| Succeeded by | Eustache Muhanzi (interim) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 October 1967 Democratic Republic of the Congo |
| Political party | Union for Democracy and Social Progress |
| Spouse | Roger Tuluka |
| Education | Free University of Brussels |
Early life and education
editSuminwa hails from Kimpese in Kongo Central. Her father was formerly the Zairean ambassador to Chad.[5]
Suminwa obtained a master's degree in applied economics at the Université libre de Bruxelles and a diploma of additional studies in Work in developing countries.[6]
Career
editShe worked in the banking sector before joining United Nations agencies including the United Nations Development Programme where she was a national expert in a community support project in the east of the country. She then worked in the Ministry of the Budget before becoming the deputy coordinator of the Presidential Strategic Watch Council (CPVS).[7]
She was appointed Minister of Planning in the government of Prime Minister Sama Lukonde on 24 March 2023.[8] Suminwa's cabinet was formally unveiled on 29 May 2024.[9]
Personal life
editSuminwa is married to Roger Tuluka, who is a former classmate of President Tshisekedi. The couple began their relationship while they were in Belgium during the 1990s.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Judith Suminwa Tuluka devient la première femme Première ministre de la RDC". lebaobab.net (in French). 1 April 2024. Archived from the original on 4 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "RDC : Judith Suminwa Tuluka nommée Première ministre". RTBF (in French). Archived from the original on 1 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "Congo Appoints Judith Tuluka Suminwa as New Prime Minister". Bloomberg.com. 1 April 2024. Archived from the original on 2 April 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ Muamba, Clément (12 June 2024). "RDC-Primature: Sama Lukonde passe officiellement le flambeau à Judith Suminwa". Actualite.cd (in French). Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ a b Duhem, Vincent (8 April 2024). "DRC: 10 things to know about new PM Judith Suminwa Tuluka". The Africa Report. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Hon. Judith Suminwa Tuluka". EITI. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "Judith Suminwa Tuluka profile: Former planning minister make history as DR Congo first female prime minister". BBC News Pidgin. 2 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
- ^ "RDC-Sama Lukonde II : ce qu'il faut savoir de Judith Tuluka Suminwa, la nouvelle ministre d'Etat en charge du Plan". Actualite.cd (in French). 27 March 2023. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
- ^ "DR Congo ends impasse to appoint new government". Al Jazeera. 29 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.