Salomon Kalonda’s trial before the Kinshasa/Gombe Military Court is about to begin, according to information provided by relatives of opponent Moïse Katumbi. Maître Christian Nkoy, one of his lawyers, confirmed that the summons had been served on him and that the trial should begin on Thursday 17.
Salomon Kalonda, financial director of the Congolese football club Tout-puissant Mazembe and special adviser to Moïse Katumbi, was arrested on May 30. He is accused of being linked to Rwanda and the M23 terrorist movement, with the aim of overthrowing the power of Felix Tshisekedi in order to install a Katangese national in his place. This arrest comes in a context of tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali, while the regime accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23, responsible for the crisis in eastern DRC.
Since leaving the Sacred Union of the Nation (USN), Moïse Katumbi has positioned himself in opposition to the Tshisekedi regime, forming a bloc with other opponents. The arrest of Salomon Kalonda is perceived by those close to him as judicial harassment directly targeting Moïse Katumbi.
Irregularities were noted in this case, such as exceeding the time limit for police custody, illegal searches and the absence of a lawyer during police custody. These rights violations were denounced by Hervé Diakiese, a human rights lawyer and spokesperson for the Lay Coordination Committee.
The Salomon Kalonda affair therefore arouses strong political tensions in the DRC, highlighting the divisions and rivalries between the various political actors in the country. The trial which will open on Thursday will therefore be a key moment in determining the outcome of this affair and the political future of Moïse Katumbi.
The situation remains tense and uncertain, and it is essential to closely follow developments in this case, which could have a major impact on the Congolese political landscape