Assassination of a former opposition minister in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

A prominent opposition figure and former minister in the Democratic Republic of Congo was found dead with multiple gunshot wounds in Kinshasa, according to officials on Thursday, confirming that he was a victim of an assassination.

Cherubin Okende was a prominent member of the party of Moïse Katumbi, one of the symbols of the political opposition in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

An official from Katumbi's team, who intends to run in the presidential elections scheduled for December, reported that Okende (61 years old) went missing on Wednesday after heading to the Constitutional Court in the Congolese capital.

The official stated that his body was found on Thursday morning in his parked car on one of the main streets of the capital.

Katumbi told Radio France Internationale (RFI) that Okende was a victim of a "political assassination."

He added, "They want to force us into silence."

The Congolese presidency announced that Okende died "in tragic circumstances" and called for an investigation to uncover the circumstances and "punish those responsible for this heinous act."

Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya expressed "shock" over the "assassination" and confirmed that authorities have launched an investigation.

The European Union condemned the "assassination" of Okende, with High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell calling on the authorities in Kinshasa to uncover the circumstances and "bring the perpetrators to justice."

He emphasized the need to "do everything possible to ensure that the elections are held in an atmosphere that allows them to be competitive, peaceful, comprehensive, and transparent."

Okende was previously the Minister of Transport before resigning from his position in December along with two other ministers from Katumbi's camp. The resignations came shortly after Katumbi announced the withdrawal of his party, "Together for the Republic," from the ruling coalition and his intention to run in the presidential elections.

President Félix Tshisekedi, who has been in office since January 2019, is expected to seek a second term.

Many opposition figures, including Katumbi, have warned that the authorities intend to rig the electoral process.

In May last year, Congolese soldiers arrested Katumbi's advisor, Salomon Kalonda, accusing him of possessing weapons and plotting to overthrow the government.

 

 

 

 

AFP