No age discrimination here!

This new hire is 81 years old.

Antoine Gizenga, born Oct. 5, 1925, has just been appointed to be prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (former Zaire).

DR Congo is a country rich in natural resources, and until now these have functioned less as a blessing bringing prosperity to its people than as a curse tempting leaders into corruption and surrounding powers into seeking some of the wealth for themselves.

In an interview with World Peace Herald earlier this year, DR Congo political figure Jean Oscar Ngalamulume laid out the situation of his country as follows:

The reality is that the DRC is considered to be fertile ground for terrorist organizations thanks to its abundant natural resources, multiple unsecured borders, unstable political structures and complete failure to implement the rule of law. Preying on its impoverished citizenry, terrorist networks are taking hold, particularly amongst the younger generation. It is also no secret that the former Zaire, under the leadership of President Mobutu, was ungovernable and was in need of strong leadership. The same leadership void exists today.

Since that interview, a presidential election has been held. It took a runoff election to come up with a final winner, but in the end Joseph Kabila (who had already been president since 2001) was elected. International observers declared the elections to have been fair.

Let's hope that the new government can function well and the the people of DR Congo find that they have a group of leaders who are truly dedicated to improving the daily lives of the general populace.