News: Matata Ponyo Mapon and Moise Katumbi denounce political violence in the DRC
In a joint press release dated July 31, 2023, the declared presidential candidates in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Matata Ponyo Mapon and Moise Katumbi, express their deep concern at the resurgence of acts of violence in the period pre-election. They draw the attention of the Congolese people and the international community to the alarming situation in the country.
The press release mentions the case of Delly Sesanga Hipungu, President of the political party ENVOL and presidential candidate, who was the victim of an act of violence during his political tour in Kananga, in the province of Kasaï Central. Accompanied by members of his party and journalists, they were targeted by a hostile group, thus creating a climate of terror and political intolerance.
Matata Ponyo Mapon and Moise Katumbi strongly condemn these acts of violence and recall that freedom of expression and the right to free movement are fundamental rights guaranteed by the Congolese Constitution and national laws, as well as by international legal instruments ratified by the Congolese State.
Faced with this situation, the candidates call for an in-depth investigation to identify the perpetrators and sponsors of these acts of violence, so that they are brought to justice and severely punished.
They express their solidarity with Delly Sesanga and the journalists who accompanied him, and underline that political violence cannot be justified in a democracy. They deplore the climate of terror created by certain hostile elements in the country.
In order to guarantee free, fair and peaceful elections, Matata Ponyo Mapon and Moise Katumbi call for the unity and responsibility of all political actors. They also renew their call on the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to ensure that an appropriate security arrangement is put in place to ensure the security of the presidential candidates and their teams during the election period.
In conclusion, the candidates stress the importance of prevention rather than cure, and call for the unity and responsibility of all political actors to ensure democratic and peaceful elections in the DRC