Title: Arbitrary arrest of the president of the Nzango league during the Games of La Francophonie 2023
Introduction :
During the IX Games of La Francophonie which took place recently in Kinshasa, an unexpected event disrupted the opening ceremony. Émilie Nyemba, president of the city’s Nzango league, was arbitrarily arrested by security agents. The arrest sparked consternation among Nzango players present at the event. In this article, we will come back to the circumstances of this arrest and the reactions that followed.
The story of the arrest:
According to anonymous testimonies from Nzango players, the arrest of Émilie Nyemba took place during the opening ceremony of the Games of La Francophonie. The reasons for this arrest remain unclear, but it would seem that the security agents misinterpreted the gestures and slogans of the players. Indeed, the latter carried red cards to denounce violence against women, but this would have been perceived as a criticism of the authorities during this election period.
The reaction of Nzango players:
The arrest of Émilie Nyemba deeply affected the Nzango players present at the opening ceremony. They had come to support the government and show the quality of their discipline in this major competition. However, this event tarnished their morale and created general disappointment. Some players have compared this arrest to an attempt at political manipulation, recalling the story brought up against the governor of Kongo Central and the bishop of Kisantu during a recent presidential visit.
The ending of the story:
Fortunately, thanks to the intervention of an authority from the Presidency of the Republic, Émilie Nyemba was found and released after spending a night in detention at Camp Tshashi. However, the question remains: what was the real reason for this arrest? The players point out that this was a misinterpretation by the security agents and that the gestures made with the red cards were in no way aimed at the authorities of the country.
Conclusion :
The arbitrary arrest of the president of the Nzango league during the Games of La Francophonie created a shock wave among the players of this discipline. This event raises questions about freedom of expression and the understanding of the symbols used by athletes. Let’s hope that this case will be resolved satisfactorily and that it will not harm Nzango’s participation in these Games of La Francophonie