President Laurent Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo has sacked five of his ministers who are under investigation for alleged corruption, and has appoointed a new, enlarged government of thirty-seven ministers and officials.

Three of the new members are women.

One of the new ministries is that of human rights.

The ministers of Finance and Agriculture, Fernand Tala Ngai and Mawampanga Mwana Nanga -- who were briefly detained by police last week -- keep their jobs.

Also retained are the ministers for Foreign Affairs, Bizima Karaha, and Justice, Mwenze Kongolo.