Vital Kamerhe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
His Excellency
Vital Kamerhe
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Kamerhe in 2010
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| President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
| Assumed office May 24, 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Christophe Mboso |
| In office December 29, 2006 – March 26, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Luhaka |
| Succeeded by | Evariste Boshab |
| Member of the National Assembly from Bukavu |
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| Assumed office February 12, 2024 |
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| In office December 29, 2006 – March 26, 2009 |
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| Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy | |
| Assumed office March 23, 2023 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 March 1959 Bukavu, Belgian Congo |
| Political party | Union for the Congolese Nation |
| Spouse | Amida Shatur |
| Residence | Democratic Republic of Congo |
| Website | http://www.vital-kamerhe.com/ |
Vital Kamerhe Lwa Kanyiginyi Nkingi was born on March 4, 1959. He is a well-known politician from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Currently, he serves as the Deputy Prime Minister of Economy. He is also the leader of a political group called the Union for the Congolese Nation (UNC).
Vital Kamerhe was the President of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 2006 to 2009. After leaving that role, he started his own political party, the UNC. He ran for president in 2011. Later, he worked with Félix Tshisekedi in the 2018 presidential election. When Tshisekedi became president, Vital Kamerhe became his chief of staff. In 2023, he rejoined the government as a deputy prime minister.
About Vital Kamerhe
Early Life and Schooling
Vital Kamerhe was born in Bukavu, Sud-Kivu, on March 4, 1959. His parents were Constantin Kamerhe Kanyginyi and Alphonsine Mwa Nkingi. His family comes from the Shi community in the Walungu area. He is married and has nine children.
He started primary school in Bukavu and then in Goma. He finished primary school in Gandajika, in the Kasai-Oriental region. He went to high school in Kikwit and then in Kananga. He finished high school in Mbuji-Mayi in 1980. Because he lived in different parts of Congo, he learned all four of the country's main languages: Kikongo, Lingala, Kiswahili, and Tshiluba. He also speaks French very well.
After high school, he studied at the University of Kinshasa. He earned a degree in Economics in 1987 with high honors. He then stayed at the university as a teaching assistant.
Vital Kamerhe's Political Journey
Starting in Politics
Vital Kamerhe began his political work in 1984. He joined a group called the Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS). During a time of change under President Mobutu Sese Seko, he was part of other political groups. He also led the youth wing of a group called the Sacred Union of the Radical Opposition and Allies.
Between 1993 and 1995, he held several important government jobs. He worked as a director in ministries dealing with the environment and higher education. He also helped coordinate the Prime Minister's office.
Working with Laurent Kabila
Later, Vital Kamerhe took on more roles in the government. From 2000, he was a deputy commissioner-general for matters related to MONUSCO, which is a United Nations mission.
Helping with Peace in the Great Lakes
Vital Kamerhe played a key role in bringing peace to the African Great Lakes region. He was a main negotiator for a peace agreement in 2002. This agreement was important for the region.
Leading the 2006 Election Campaign
On July 1, 2004, he started leading the PPRD party. He also managed Joseph Kabila's campaign for president in the 2006 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election. In 2006, he was elected as a representative for South Kivu in the National Assembly. He then became the President of the National Assembly and served until March 26, 2009.
As President of the National Assembly
In 2009, while he was President of the National Assembly, Vital Kamerhe raised questions about military actions. He was concerned that Rwandan troops were allowed into Congo without telling the parliament. This went against the country's rules.
On March 25, 2009, he announced that he was stepping down as President of the National Assembly. On December 14, 2010, he officially left the PPRD party. He then announced he would run for president in the 2011 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election. He also created his new political party, the UNC. The UNC officially started in February 2011. In the 2011 election, Vital Kamerhe received 7.74% of the votes.
In April 2024, Vital Kamerhe was chosen to be the candidate for president of the Assembly by a group called the “Sacred Union”. On May 22, he was elected to this position again. He officially started his new term on May 24.
Working with Félix Tshisekedi
Role in the 2018 Election
In the 2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, Vital Kamerhe supported Félix Tshisekedi, who was the leader of the UDPS party. The UDPS and UNC parties formed a group called Heading for Change. They agreed that if Tshisekedi won, Vital Kamerhe would become his prime minister. Tshisekedi did become president. However, due to how parliament was set up, it was not possible for him to make Vital Kamerhe prime minister. Instead, Vital Kamerhe became Tshisekedi's chief of staff, which was one of the first important jobs Tshisekedi filled.
Facing Legal Challenges
In April 2020, Vital Kamerhe faced some legal challenges. During this time, he was not in his government role. Later, he was able to return to his position.
Returning to Government
On March 25, 2023, Félix Tshisekedi asked Vital Kamerhe to rejoin his government. This time, he became the vice prime minister in charge of the economy. On May 22, 2024, he was once again elected as the Speaker of the National Assembly. He officially took office on May 24.
Family Life
Vital Kamerhe is the brother-in-law of Aimé Boji. He married Amida Shatur on February 19, 2019.
