New mayors (burgomasters) have been appointed in Kinshasa and Lubumbashi following the extensive administrative reshuffle begun by President Joseph Mobutu towards the end of last year. The mayors took the oath in front of their respective governors.

The Kinshasa ceremony took place in the City Hall in the presence of capital's Governor Eugene Ndjoku. The thirteen new officials took their oaths in turn, the chief mayor first, then the deputy chief mayor, and finally the eleven assistant mayors, one of whom was a woman.

A similar but smaller ceremony took place in the "Copper City" of Lubumbashi, where the Governor of Katanga province, Henri Takizala, presided over the swearing-in of a mayoral body of three.

First to take the oath was chief mayor Ikolo, wearing the sash of office; he was followed by deputy mayor Pierre Joo, (and later by assistant mayor Veronique Kani).