Congolese prime minister resigns from office offering no explanation

The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde, has resigned amid fighting between rebels and government forces.

Lukonde resigned and dissolved his government, with President Felix Tshisekedi accepting the resignation but asking the government to continue handling affairs until a new one is formed.

Lukonde, who was appointed in February 2021, will now join parliament.

Recent clashes near Goma involving the M23 rebel group and government forces have heightened tensions in the region, with reports of a bomb hitting Goma airport.

“The resignation has been accepted. However, the president has asked (Lukonde’s) government to continue handling current affairs” until a new government is formed, the presidency said in another statement later on Tuesday.

It did not specify Lukonde’s reasons for resigning.

Lukonde was appointed premier of the mineral-rich central African country in February 2021.

After he was re-elected in December, Tshisekedi named a representative to identify a majority coalition within the National Assembly with a view to forming the next government.

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