The vote was a show of strength by Tshisekedi’s allies, who might have enough support to form a new majority in DR Congo’s parliament and bring down the prime minister’s government, which is dominated by Kabila loyalists.
READ ALSO: No Longer Ndombolo Ya Solo Between President Tshisekedi & Kabila As Coalition Collapse
The National Assembly voted by 281 to 200 to impeach speaker Jeanine Mabunda, a close Kabila ally, accusing her of “conflictual and partisan” leadership and not being transparent about her management of the body’s finances.
During a rowdy debate that lasted hours, Mabunda denied the accusations against her and apologised for any misunderstandings.
Cheers, hugs and dancing broke out among lawmakers when it was clear the motion had passed before the count was complete.
But Kabila’s Common Front for Congo (FCC) won parliamentary majorities in the same election with over 60% of the seats, forcing Tshisekedi to enter into a coalition with it.
The awkward arrangement has frustrated Tshisekedi as he tries to pursue an agenda that includes addressing armed violence in the mineral-rich east, reforming the judiciary and securing financial support from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
After nearly two years of trying to chip away at Kabila’s power, Tshisekedi initiated talks last month with political, religious and civil society leaders. On Sunday, he announced he would move to end the coalition with the FCC.
READ ALSO: DRC: What’s Joseph Kabila’s Legacy Like After 18 Years In Power?
Creating a new parliamentary majority could face legal hurdles, although Tshisekedi may be able to flex his increased influence on the constitutional court since appointing three judges in October.
“It’s obviously a big moment because the FCC is on the ropes,” said Sarah Wolters, a senior research fellow at the South African Institute of International Affairs. “It means that there’s been a gradual change in the balance of power.”
Before the vote, the Unified Lumumbist Party (PALU), which has long been allied with Kabila and has more than a dozen seats in parliament, became the latest party to announce it would join Tshisekedi’s “Sacred Union”.
