Kasongo Ilunga

Andre Kasongo Ilunga (allegedly born 20 October 1972)[1] was supposedly the Vice-President of the UNAFEC party and the Minister for Foreign Trade of the Democratic Republic of the Congo for much of 2007, despite doubts on whether or not he ever actually existed as a real person.[2] Although a member of the UNAFEC party selected by Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga, he failed to appear at the opening of the new Government, and never claimed his office. As a result, Kasongo Ilunga is now considered by the local media and the international community to have been an imaginary person, most likely created by Kisimba Ngoy, leader of the UNAFEC party, as a part of a plan to win the lucrative role for himself.[1][2]

Andre Kasongo Ilunga
Minister of Foreign Trade
In office
5 February 2007 – November 2007
Preceded byNone
Personal details
Born(1972-10-20)20 October 1972
Bukama, Democratic Republic of Congo
Political partyUNAFEC
OccupationVice-president of UNAFEC
As this politician is not confirmed to actually exist, many of the above are disputed.

Under government rules, a party must provide a shortlist of at least two candidates for any ministerial role, with the Prime Minister making the final choice from the list.[2] The only two candidates put forward for the Foreign Trade post were Kasongo Ilunga and Kisimba Ngoy, with the list being compiled by Kisimba himself. However, Kisimba had been a vocal supporter of Mobutu Sese Seko,[2] someone whom Antoine Gizenga had once strongly opposed, likely causing him to choose the unknown Ilunga over Kisimba. Kisimba denied these charges, claiming that Ilunga later declined the role for personal reasons, and that he had sent a signed letter to the Prime Minister tendering his resignation. Despite this, Gizenga refused to accept the resignation unless Ilunga resigned in person.[3]

Kasongo Ilunga is a common name in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and at least three people claimed to be him.[1] However, all of these people were denounced as impostors, as none of them had the correct background.[1][4] The event damaged the reputation of the government, the first to be democratically elected in over 40 years, leading to the dismissal of Kisimba from the UNAFEC and the emergency election of a new party president.

References
  1. "Der dreifache Minister, den keiner kennt" (in German). die tageszeitung. 20 February 2007.
  2. "Congo's "phantom minister" tarnishes new cabinet". Reuters South Africa. 2 March 2007. Archived from the original on 18 January 2006. Retrieved 3 March 2007.
  3. BBC. "DRC sacking over 'ghost minister'". 4 March 2007. Retrieved on 19 May 2013.
  4. Rice, Xan (3 March 2007). "Imaginary minister joins cabinet". The Guardian.
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