Salomon Idi Kalonda, special and political adviser to opponent Moise Katumbi, has been in detention since May 30. According to information relayed by the military services of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the political adviser to Moise Katumbi is accused of having incited the soldiers to commit acts contrary to duty and discipline, of having illegally possessed a weapon and ammunition of war and of having undermined the internal security of the State.
The military intelligence staff claims to have the approval of the public prosecutor to extend his detention, the situation being considered “completely sensitive”. Accused of being orchestrated by the regime in place to harm Moise Katumbi, his political ally, this arrest provoked strong reactions within the political family of the person concerned but also from allied parties.
Despite the protests of activists and supporters of Moise Katumbi, the military staff maintains that it has “evidence” against Salomon Kalonda Idi Della. For now, the teams are working on the issue to present it to its natural judge.
Everything suggests that this arrest, like those that have multiplied in recent months against political figures or activists critical of the regime in place, accentuates political polarization in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With the approach of the next elections, this situation is a test for the electoral dispute which persists and whose credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission is called into question. We are entitled to wonder about the consequences that this situation will have on the electoral process.