PRESIDENT Felix Tshisekedi appointed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first female prime minister on Monday.

The choice of Judith Suminwa Tuluka fulfilled a campaign promise by Mr Tshisekedi and marked an important step towards the formation of a new government following his re-election late last year.

The former planning minister will step into the role at a time of worsening violence in the country’s mineral-rich east, which borders Rwanda.