Presidency of Emmanuel Weyi

The presidency of Emmanuel Weyi was the executive branch of the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo from March 10, 2018, until March 10, 2023.

As the country's first elected president in seventeen years, following the presidency of Joseph Kabila (2001—2018), Emmanuel Weyi became the leader of a poor dysfunctional country plagued by decades of extreme corruption and brutal wars. His first acts became to take steps to crack down on government corruption by purging thousands of officials and establishing a new anti-corruption investigation bureau with sweeping powers to detain and arrest suspects, and to improve the economy by centralizing control over the country's natural resources by establishing a new Ministry of Industry and forming the Congolese Mining Corporation. In addition, he sought to normalize relations with neighboring states by creating the Treaty of Luanda, an agreement with Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Burundi to regulate the conflict in the eastern DRC and end hostilities. On the international arena President Weyi increased relations with China, India, and other countries in Asia, aiming to encourage foreign investment in Congolese industry and infrastructure.

His policies throughout his five-year term brought about mixed results, but did raise the Congolese GDP by 42% by the end of his term and lessened corruption in the government and military. The issue of crimes committed by the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) was also addressed, and the crime rate by the military was greatly lessened throughout his term and more strict discipline, higher recruiting standards, and higher wages were implemented. The insurgencies by armed groups throughout the country, especially in the east, also quieted down, but were not completely stamped out. Government revenue from natural resources grew as corruption was routed out and more favorable deals were arranged with foreign companies, while the increased security allowed more economic development. Infrastructure quality greatly increased, opening five new railway lines throughout the country and increasing the amount of paved roads, with the new revenue and Chinese investment.

Background

 * Main article: Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 2018

Cabinet appointments
On March 24, 2018, Moïse Katumbi, former Governor of Katanga Province and businessman, accepted a request from the new President to become Prime Minister of the DRC. Among the first of his acts, with Weyi's approval, was to dissolve many of the cabinet offices and ministries to streamline the administration. Over fifty cabinet positions existed under Kabila, which was deemed unnecessary and wasteful. Katumbi established a new government, consisting of both opposition, independent, and former Kabila regime officials that were deemed trustworthy enough.

Aftermath

 * See also: Democratic Republic of the Congo general election, 2023