CONGO Republic’s new prime minister has named a government, with President Denis Sassou Nguesso’s son among several additions to the cabinet following the president’s re-election in March.
Sassou, who has ruled the Central African oil producer for a total of 38 years, appointed Anatole Collinet Makossa, a former education minister, as prime minister on Wednesday. He replaced Clement Mouamba, who had served since 2016.
Among the new ministers announced in a decree read on state television was Sassou’s son, Denis Christel Sassou Nguesso, who was named minister of international cooperation.
A national lawmaker who was previously a director at the national oil company, he has faced a series graft allegations by anti-corruption activists. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Bruno Jean Richard Itoua, a former energy minister, was named hydrocarbons minister, replacing Jean-Marc Thystere-Tchicaya.
About 90% of Congo’s revenues come from oil. Sassou promised at his inauguration last month to diversify the economy, which has been battered since 2014 by low oil prices.
