News: The security situation in Kinshasa raises concerns ahead of the Francophonie games and the general elections
The city of Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is currently the scene of horrible scenes which are spreading panic and terror among the population. These alarming events come just days before the start of the ninth Francophone Games, which are to be held in late July and early August, and just five months before the general elections. The recent news of the assassination of Chérubin Okende, national deputy and former transport minister, has intensified the climate of fear and insecurity.
Faced with this growing psychosis, the government is trying to reassure the population by announcing increased vigilance by the country’s security services. Patrick Muyaya, the Minister of Communication and Media, spokesman for the government, said during an emergency security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sama Lukonde, that additional measures would be taken to ensure the security of the city. of Kinshasa and the whole country. He underlined the importance of maintaining confidence in this critical period, marked by the organization of the Francophonie games and the upcoming elections.
The worrying security situation is due in particular to the kidnappings and organ trafficking that are rampant in the city, which the government does not officially acknowledge. The death of Chérubin Okende also raises many questions. After his abduction by armed men, his body was found in his car in front of the Kinshasa garage. The political party Ensemble pour la République, to which Chérubin Okende belonged, qualified this assassination as a state crime and calls for in-depth investigations to elucidate the circumstances of his death.
This series of tragic events targeting opposition politicians has cast doubt on the safety of political actors and citizens in general. The travel bans imposed on the President of Ensemble pour la République in certain provinces, the kidnappings of deputies and political executives, as well as targeted searches and arrests, fuel fears about the freedom and safety of political actors.
This precarious situation also has an impact on the ninth Games of the Francophonie, whose holding in Kinshasa is questioned by certain French-speaking countries. Quebec has already withdrawn, New Brunswick has reduced its delegation and the Wallonia-Brussels Federation has announced that its athletes will not participate in sports competitions, citing safety and health reasons.
It is essential that the Congolese government take swift and effective measures to guarantee the safety of its citizens, political actors and participants in the Games of La Francophonie.. Stability and security are the foundations of a healthy democracy and will enable the country to progress towards a better future.
Learn more:
– [Political assassination in the DRC: the truth about the death of Chérubin Okende to be discovered](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/assassinat-politique-en-rdc-la-verite-sur-la -death-of-cherubin-okende-to-discover/)
– [National anthem in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: Débout Congolese, revise or preserve the meaning and the controversy behind the national anthem which is causing debate](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/hymne-national -in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo-standing-congolese-revise-or-preserve-the-meaning-and-the-controversy-behind-the-national-anthem-which-is-debating-321/)
– [The African Union in action: towards regional integration and a prosperous future for the continent](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/lunion-africaine-en-action-vers-une- regional-integration-and-a-prosperous-future-for-the-continent-2/)
– [Barrick and the State of Mali: a strong partnership to make the country’s gold industry shine](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/barrick-et-letat-du-mali- a-strong-partnership-to-make-the-country-gold-industry-shine/)
– [Théo Bongonda: the new Congolese prodigy who panics Russia with his arrival at Spartak Moscow](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/theo-bongonda-le-nouveau-prodige-congolais-qui -freaks-russia-with-its-arrival-in-spartak-moscow/)
– [The Leopards of the DRC fail in the semi-finals of the Afrocan Angola 2023 against the Lions of the Atlas](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/les-leopards-de-la -rdc-fail-in-the-semi-final-of-lafrocan-angola-2023-against-the-lions-of-latlas/)
– [Terror and insecurity: the deadly attacks of the M23 plunge the population of Bwito into dread](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/tacteur-et-insecurite-les-attacks-meurtrieres- du-m23-plunge-the-population-of-bwito-into-dread/)
– [Kinshasa in uncertainty: the assassination of Chérubin Okende jeopardizes the games of the Francophonie](https://fatshimetrie.org/blog/2023/07/15/kinshasa-dans-lincertitude-lassassination-de- cherubin-okende-endangers-the-francophonie-games/)
– [Shocking murder of a Congolese deputy: the Democratic Republic of Congo demands justice](https://fatshimetrie