Drama in Kinshasa: confidence in Congolese justice undermined
The murder of national deputy Chérubin Okende in Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, not only shocked the country, but also exposed President Félix Tshisekedi’s frustrations with the justice system. In a recent interview, the president expressed his disappointment with the record of Congolese justice, seeing it as a major obstacle to realizing his vision for the country.
Felix Tshisekedi, who was elected on a promise to reform the judiciary and promote the rule of law, said he had placed high hopes in the judiciary, but that it had disappointed. He pointed out that the justice supposed to uplift the nation, as mentioned in the Bible, was actually destroying the country.
The president also expressed frustration at his lack of harmony with heads of institutions, saying they were not on the same page. However, he made a point of stressing that he had not intervened in court cases, in order to respect the separation of powers.
These statements raise questions about the trust and credibility of Congolese justice. The murder of Chérubin Okende, which aroused great emotion, underlines the need for a thorough and transparent investigation to identify the culprits and bring them to justice. The Congolese government has also announced that a multidisciplinary investigation will be conducted, with the participation of foreign experts to guarantee the speed and transparency of the process.
However, the mistrust between President Tshisekedi and the judiciary remains palpable, which raises questions about the independence of the judiciary and its ability to carry out such investigations. Calls for reforms in the judiciary are growing in order to restore the Congolese people’s confidence in this key state institution.
It is essential that the Congolese judiciary show impartiality and independence in handling this case, in order to ensure that those responsible for this heinous crime are brought to justice and that the truth is revealed