The tragic murder of national deputy and former Minister of Transport, Ways and Communication, Chérubin Okende, continues to arouse reactions and concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). While the government claims that the investigations are progressing normally, the opposition political party of Moïse Katumbi, to which the deceased belonged, denounces the slowness of the investigations and calls for the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry.
Together for the Republic, the political party of Katumbi, asks that this commission be made up of Belgian and South African experts and members of the UN Mission in the DRC, Monusco. According to the secretary general of the party, Dieudonné Bolengetenge Balea, it is urgent to set up this commission in order to preserve the evidence and prevent the assassins from escaping.
The party also criticizes the Congolese government’s communication on the case, calling the statements rushed and choppy. He underlines in particular that the autopsy has not yet been carried out, which is essential to determine the circumstances of the death of Chérubin Okende. The absence of this autopsy raises questions about the transparency of the investigation.
Together for the Republic also draws a parallel with the assassination of human rights activist Floribert Chebeya, recalling the disturbing similarities between these two cases. The party therefore calls for an independent and impartial international investigation to shed light on the murder of Chérubin Okende and identify those responsible.
Faced with mistrust of Congolese justice, Moïse Katumbi has taken steps with foreign chancelleries and Monusco to request extensive and independent investigations.
The Congolese population and the international community are therefore impatiently awaiting the results of an international investigation which will be able to bring the truth about the assassination of Chérubin Okende and bring justice to his family and to Congolese society as a whole. This is a crucial moment for the DRC, which must demonstrate its ability to conduct rigorous and impartial investigations in accordance with the rule of law.