Salomon Idi Kalonda, a member of the political party Ensemble pour la République and special adviser to Moise Katumbi Chapwe, was brutally arrested on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 by security services at N’djili International Airport in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (DRC). The Voice of the Voiceless for Human Rights (VSV) criticized this muscular method, likening this arrest to a virtual kidnapping.
The VSV has expressed its fears about the increasing police brutality in the DRC, in the run-up to the presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for December 20, 2023. It considers that these practices violate human rights and that it is unacceptable to violate the fundamental rights of a citizen.
However, the reason for the arrest of Salomon Idi Kalonda remains unclear to this day. The VSV is concerned about the methods used to intimidate political opponents and silence them. It calls on the authorities to launch an independent investigation to establish the basis for this arrest and to punish the perpetrators of this inhuman act.
Indeed, it is essential to remember that political opponents occupy an important place in democracy. Their critiques can help leaders in power improve their management style when needed. The VSV therefore invites Congolese leaders to adopt a conduct that is more respectful of fundamental rights and the preservation of democracy in the country.
This arbitrary arrest and the police violence committed against political opponents raise many concerns about respect for human rights in the DRC. This situation risks undermining the peace and political stability of the country, a few months before the crucial elections of December 2023.