Kinshasa press review of Wednesday August 16, 2023: Focus on the trial of Salomon Kalonda before the Kinshasa-Gombe Military Court
On Wednesday August 16, 2023, the Kinshasa press was widely interested in the trial of Salomon Kalonda, special adviser to Moise Katumbi, which begins on August 17 before the Kinshasa-Gombe military court. The media highlight the stakes of this trial which raises a lot of expectations, both nationally and internationally.
La Tempête des tropics announces in the headline the start of the trial of Salomon Kalonda, scheduled for the next day. The daily stresses that Moise Katumbi’s special adviser is accused by the military intelligence services of undermining state security. Tropical Storm also points out that Salomon Kalonda was detained for more than 60 days in the Ndolo military prison, without being able to receive visitors.
The AfricaNews media points out that the trial of Salomon Kalonda comes after the closing of the proceedings in the trial of Jean-Marc Kabund, former president of the UDPS. He faces up to three years in prison. Salomon Kalonda is being prosecuted for inciting soldiers to commit acts contrary to duty and discipline, illegal possession of weapons and undermining state security. His lawyers contest these accusations and question the detention procedure.
Congo Nouveau reveals that the trial of Salomon Kalonda opens in difficult conditions for the accused, who has been deprived of visits for a few days for ulterior reasons. The media also reports that the special adviser of Moise Katumbi is the victim of a cabal in Kindu, in the province of Maniema, aimed at attributing to him the responsibility of a network of kidnappers. Congo Nouveau highlights the efforts made by the party Ensemble pour la République, to which Moise Katumbi belongs, to defend Salomon Kalonda and reject the accusations made against him.
In reaction to the remarks of the governor ai of Maniema, the party Together for the Republic publishes a press release in which it affirms that Salomon Kalonda has no connection with the alleged kidnapper in the province. The party qualifies the accusations of assembly and considers that this file is a machination.
This trial of Salomon Kalonda therefore arouses strong reactions and questions, both at the political and judicial level. Public opinion is impatiently awaiting developments in this case, which could have an impact on the already tarnished image of Congolese justice