Assassination of deputy Chérubin Okende: the Sankuru in mourning and in search of justice
The Sankuru caucus of national deputies reacted strongly to the assassination of their colleague, the Honorable Chérubin Okende Senga. In a press release published Thursday, July 13, they condemned this “villainous and despicable” act and demanded a serious investigation so that all light could be shed on this tragedy.
Chérubin Okende, former Minister of Transport and national deputy, was kidnapped the day before his assassination by armed men. His body was discovered on July 13 in his car, in front of the Kinshasa garage. The news of his disappearance and death plunged the province of Sankuru into sadness and indignation.
The deputy Chérubin Okende had a special importance in the region, being a worthy son of the Sankuru. He was also a senior official and spokesperson for the party of Moïse Katumbi, which declared itself a candidate in the next presidential election. This dark event adds an atmosphere of terror to the approach of the elections, with several political opponents already arrested.
The caucus of Sankuru deputies strongly calls on the competent authorities to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation in order to bring justice to Chérubin Okende and to severely punish his assassins. They thus recall the importance of guaranteeing the security of political representatives and preserving the integrity of democratic institutions.
This tragic assassination is a stark reminder of the challenges the country faces in terms of security and stability. It also underlines the importance of the fight against impunity and the promotion of democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Sankuru mourns the loss of a committed and courageous man, while the whole country must face the reality of political violence. The quest for justice for Chérubin Okende is a collective responsibility, and it is essential that the truth be established and that the culprits be brought to justice. This sends a clear message that acts of political violence will not be tolerated and that peace and stability must prevail in the Congolese nation.
Faced with this tragedy, solidarity and unity must prevail. Congolese society must choose the path of justice and mutual respect to build a better future. The upcoming elections will be a crucial moment for Congolese democracy, where the voice of the people must be heard. But to achieve this, it is imperative to protect the lives and integrity of political actors, and to ensure that violence does not hinder the democratic process.
The death of Chérubin Okende is a tragic loss for Sankuru and for the whole country. His commitment to the development of his province and to Congolese democracy will be remembered. Now it is up to the authorities to show determination and resolve in seeking justice for Chérubin Okende, so that his memory is honored and political violence can no longer sow chaos in the country