'Ghost minister' puzzles DR Congo

[muriel_volestrangler]

People in the Democratic Republic of Congo have been scratching their heads over the brief career of a minister who, it now seems, does not exist.

The case came to light when Prime Minister Antoine Gizenga began to appoint ministers to his new cabinet.

Andre Kasongo Ilunga got the post of trade but resigned before taking it up.

One explanation is his party's leader, when asked for two candidates to choose from for the post, invented Mr Ilunga to ensure his own appointment.

The alleged stunt apparently backfired when the prime minister appointed the unknown Mr Ilunga.
...
Prime Minister Gizenga has launched an investigation, saying Mr Ilunga will remain in his post until he resigns in person.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6414709.stm

It's government, Jim, but not as we know it ... :shrug:

[AndyTiedye]

1. Seems a More Benign Form of Craziness Than the Mad Cowboys Running Our Government

:rofl:

[Miss Chybil]

2. LOL!

As we used to say in Jr. High... "Smooth move, Ex-Lax!"

[Eugene]

3. BBC: DRC sacking over 'ghost minister'

Last Updated: Sunday, 4 March 2007, 11:38 GMT

DRC sacking over 'ghost minister'

A party leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo who proposed an apparently
fictitious person for a post in the new cabinet has been sacked.

The so-called case of the "phantom" government minister, Andre Kasongo Ilunga,
has puzzled politicians in the war-torn African nation in recent days.

-snip-

'Irresponsible and unacceptable'

And in a new twist to the case, Mr Kisimba was reportedly replaced as Unafec
president by a national convention of the party.

In a declaration quoted by AFP news agency, participants in the convention
accused Mr Kisimba of "irresponsible and unacceptable behaviour ... by proposing
a person fictitious and unknown to party structures for the post of foreign
trade minister".

-snip-

Full article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6414709.stm