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The mother of all dummies

Xan Rice

Imaginary Minister joins Congolese Cabinet

Andre Kasongo Ilunga was the rising star of Congolese politics. Just 34, he had risen from obscurity to be appointed Minister for Foreign Trade in Congo's first democratic government last month. Then, before he had even started work, he resigned. Sadly, Mr. Ilunga will never be able to articulate the reasons why. For he does not exist.

In a bizarre case that has captivated the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mr. Ilunga appears to have been exposed as the creation of Honorius Kisimba Ngoy, leader of the Unafec party.

The affair of the "phantom minister" — as the local media have called it — has led to calls for an investigation into Mr. Kisimba and an inquiry into how the Prime Minister could give such a prominent post to someone he had never met.

The saga began when the Prime Minister, Antoine Gizenga, asked parties in the ruling coalition to nominate two candidates for a ministerial post.

Mr. Kisimba nominated himself and Mr. Ilunga, allegedly the party's vice-president. One political analyst said Mr. Kisimba believed this would guarantee him a Cabinet seat. But the stunt backfired when Mr. Ilunga was given the post on February 5.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2007

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