Newly sworn in DRC President Felix Tshisekedi has appointed a top security advisor Francois Beya Kasonga. The announcement was made public in a televised event over the weekend.
Kasonga was previously the Director General of Migration under the Joseph Kabila government and served for a period of 12 years.
In his 60s, Kasonga has spent a considerable time within the intelligence sector of the country and is widely seen as more moderate than his immediate predecessor, Master Jean Mbuyu.
The current appointment means he has worked under all three previous presidents since he first served on the National Security Council of President Mobutu Sese Seko.
With his new position as special advisor to the President in matters of security; he therefore becomes head of the National Security Council for a country that had over the years been rocked by armed conflict and a serious crackdown on peaceful protesters.
He is widely seen among Congolese and diplomatc circles as a man who has the reputation of being moderate. The French-broadcaster, RFI, quoted a human rights defender as saying the move showed that government wanted to give a new phase to the security sector.
François Beya Kasonga is also one of those who have always tried to bring opposition and power together. He is replaced at his Migration Directorate office by Roland Kashwantale
