Trial of Jean-Marc Kabund: Postponement of the verdict by the Court of Cassation
The Court of Cassation of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) postponed at the last moment the date of the delivery of the judgment in the trial opposing Jean-Marc Kabund, national deputy and former first vice-president of the National Assembly, to the Public minister. Initially scheduled for this Wednesday, September 6, the verdict has been postponed for up to seven days.
Tensions are high in this case which opposes the political opponent to justice. On August 14, the Court of Cassation ordered a three-year prison sentence for Jean-Marc Kabund, on the basis of twelve counts, including contempt of Parliament, the government of the Republic, the offense against the Head of State, as well as the spreading of false rumours.
Jean-Marc Kabund, president of the political party “Alliance for Change”, firmly denies these accusations and pleads not guilty. He claims to have only relayed information from reliable sources. For him, this trial is motivated by political tensions between the power in place and the opposition, a few months before the next elections.
Once considered one of the strong men of President Félix Tshisekedi, Kabund has now positioned himself as an opponent, denouncing the way in which power is exercised to the detriment of the Congolese people. He has created his own political party and is even considering running in the presidential election scheduled for December.
Despite a decision by the courts to place him under house arrest and the lifting of his parliamentary immunity, Jean-Marc Kabund is imprisoned in Makala prison. This situation raises questions about justice and political freedom in the DRC.
The Kabund affair highlights the political tensions that reign in the country in the run-up to the elections. All eyes are now on the Court of Cassation, which will have to deliver its verdict in the coming days. The decision that will be taken will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the political future of Jean-Marc Kabund and on the political climate in the DRC.