/ 8 April 2001

DRC?S KABILA SACKS ENTIRE GOVERNMENT

DEMOCRATIC Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila has sacked his entire cabinet, according to a statement from cabinet chief Theophile Mbemba. Outgoing ministers “are charged with carrying out current business” until the nomination of a new cabinet. All state visits by cabinet ministers have been suspended, except those already in progress. Kabila took power on January 26 after the assassination of his father Laurent Kabila, killed by a presidential guard on January 16. The cabinet reshuffle was made public only hours before Kabila was due to travel to Germany for a two-day official visit starting Thursday. – AFP