Tshisekedi boosts influence with new constitutional court judges

KINSHASA - Three Constitutional Court judges selected by Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi were sworn in on Wednesday after months of delay, granting him greater influence over lawmaking and election issues and riling his coalition partner.

The appointments mark a major victory for Tshisekedi over his long-serving predecessor Joseph Kabila, who has sought to maintain sway over the nine-judge court since leaving power in 2019. Each man now has four judges likely to back him, analysts said.

Tshisekedi and Kabila formed a coalition government following Democratic Republic of Congo’s disputed 2018 election, but their partnership has soured.

The swearing in of the judges by parliament could deepen their rift, the analysts said, potentially damaging efforts to solve Congo’s many security and economic problems and attract investment in its copper, cobalt and gold mines, oil fields and vast forests.

Tshisekedi flashed a smile and a v-sign for victory on entering parliament on Wednesday for a ceremony

delayed by months of debate over the legality of the appointments.

“I acknowledge your swearing in and congratulate you,” he told the judges after they took their oaths.

Kabila’s FCC political alliance, which controls the senate and national assembly, said the appointments were unconstitutional and boycotted the ceremony.

It argues that Tshisekedi made space on the court by forcing out one judge before the end of his term and promoting two others to another court against their will, charges the president denies.

“The appointments and replacements of the judges concerned ... are null and of no effect,” the FCC said in a statement on Tuesday.

Greater control of the court could shield the president from impeachment and strengthen his hand when fighting off political challenges from the FCC-controlled legislature. – REUTERS.