DR Congo: Ex-militia leader Jean-Pierre Bemba becomes minister
The president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, has appointed Jean-Pierre Bemba, a former militia leader once convicted of war crimes as his new defence minister. Mr Bemba was cleared on appeal by the International Criminal Court in 2018.
His appointment is part of a wider reshuffle which comes ahead of the elections later this year. Jason Sterns - the Director of the Congo Research Group - told Newsday what Mr Bemba's appointment says about political situation in DR Congo.
"Jean-Pierre Bemba was one of the main warlords... this now brings him back to government... A coalition of many suspicious characters. What the Democratic Republic of Congo desperately needs is a new generation of leaders."
(Pic: Jean-Pierre Bemba; Credit: Getty Images)
Duration:
This clip is from
More clips from Newsday
-
![]()
Military ruler insists all new ministers pass lie detector tests
Duration: 03:01
-
![]()
'I immediately called my mother, I told her that I was alive'
Duration: 02:21
