The Democratic Republic of Congo recently elected president, Felix Tshisekedi has formed a coalition government with his predecessor Joseph Kabila.

Tshisekedi says they arrived at the decision to form a coalition government with Kabila following talks.

Kabila’s party, Common Front for Congo (FCC), enjoys a huge majority in the National Assembly ( 342 out of the 485 seats) while Tshisekedi’s CACH only has about 50 MPs.

This allegedly frustrated Tshisekedi’s efforts to pick his preferred Prime Minister.

According to a joint statement by Tshisekedi and Kabila, the coalition government is aimed at upholding the will of the people reflected in the polls.

“Although the “FCC holds an absolute majority in the National Assembly” to reflect the will of the people expressed in the poll, the FCC and the CACH are affirming “their common will to govern together as part of a coalition government”.

Opposition leader Felix Tshisekedi was in January announced the winner of the Democratic Republic of Congo presidential poll in the 30 December election.

Mr Tshisekedi became the first opposition candidate to win the presidential poll since the DR of Congo gained independence in 1960 although his election was marred by controversy and allegations of rigging.

Felix Tshisekedi garnered 7 million votes against his closest rival Martin Fayulu 6.4M votes.

Former President Kabila, was not in the ballot after he stepped down after 18 years in office. His hand-picked candidate Emmanuel Shadary came in third with 4.4 million votes.