Title: Violent incidents punctuate the arrival of Delly Sesanga in Kananga
Introduction :
The arrival of National Deputy Delly Sesanga in Kananga on Saturday July 29, 2023 was marked by incidents of rare violence. A declared candidate for the 2023 presidential election, Delly Sesanga has also renewed his candidacy for the national deputy in his electoral district of Luiza. Despite attempts to obstruct his procession, the police intervened to allow the elected representative of Luiza to reach downtown Kananga. However, these incidents testify to a climate of political intolerance which fuels tensions in the region.
Acts of intimidation:
As soon as he arrived at the airport, Delly Sesanga and his motorcade were confronted with obstacles put in place to prevent them from accessing the city center. Tires were burned and stones were thrown in their path. Despite these attempts at intimidation, the determination of Deputy Sesanga and his supporters prevailed, and they finally managed to reach their destination. However, the meeting planned in a chosen place was prohibited.
Security in question:
During this eventful arrival, the deputy Sesanga himself was hit in the head by a projectile launched with force. This attack testifies to the violence that reigns in the region and raises concerns about the safety of political figures. Supporters of Delly Sesanga strongly condemned these incidents and pointed the finger at UDPS/Tshisekedi supporters, accusing them of being responsible for these acts.
Delly Sesanga’s reaction:
Despite these traumatic events, Delly Sesanga is doing well, according to those around her. After these incidents, he went to Saint Laurent parish to pray before returning home. His political party, Envol, also condemned these acts of intimidation and said that they were not deterred by these attacks. They call on the population to remain mobilized and to hold Felix Tshisekedi’s regime to account.
Civil society reacts:
In the Kananga region, civil society associations have expressed their indignation at these acts of intolerance. They denounce an increase in political violence and demand measures to ensure the safety of political figures and the population in general. The provincial government has condemned the incidents and promised to carry out an investigation, although some Sesanga supporters doubt the objectivity of the investigation.
Conclusion :
The violent incidents which accompanied the arrival of Delly Sesanga in Kananga reveal the political tensions which reign in the region. These acts of intimidation highlight the need for a peaceful political climate, where all actors can express themselves freely without fearing for their safety.. It is essential that the authorities take the necessary measures to guarantee the protection of political figures and to promote a constructive dialogue between the various political actors in the interests of democracy and the stability of the country